Virginia Anne Terreson

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Virginia Anne (Lewis) Terreson, who left us peacefully on October 4, 2025, two days after celebrating her 91st birthday, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on October 2, 1934, in Laurel, Mississippi, Virginia was the only child of Aubrey Roberson Lewis and Mona Lucille (Daniels) Lewis. She often recalled with fondness her early childhood on her grandparents' dairy farm.

In the early 1940s, her family moved to Pascagoula, where her father joined Ingalls Shipyard and her mother co-owned Mona and Louella's Beauty Shop in the Pinewood Terrace building. Virginia attended Pascagoula schools, where she played basketball, performed in the band as a clarinetist, and served as the Pascagoula Panther mascot alongside her best friend, Dot (Jones) Loy. A proud member of the Pascagoula High School Class of 1952, she later cherished annual trips with her lifelong friends, affectionately known as the "Goula Girls."

After attending Mississippi Southern, Virginia began what became a remarkable 37-year career with the U.S. Navy. She started in administration with NOAA in Pascagoula and concluded her career managing the Aegis Combatant Logistics Group under Captain Ireland's command. During her tenure with the Navy at Ingalls Shipbuilding, she earned multiple Awards of Excellence recognizing her professionalism and leadership.

In December 1958, Virginia married Robert Harold Terreson, Jr., and together they raised four children. In 1969, they built their dream home on River Road in Moss Point, where they lived for 43 years. That home became a gathering place for countless friends and family-many fondly remember the rope swing Harold hung from the great, live oak tree in the front yard.

Virginia and Harold shared a love for the outdoors and adventure, values they passed on to their children. In their early years, the family of six explored the Southeast in a pop-up camper, that only slept four. Later, Virginia-much to Harold's good-natured dismay-had a pier and boat lift built and bought a boat, leading to countless family excursions to Horn and Petit Bois Islands. She later added a motorhome to their adventures, traveling with Harold across the United States, including Alaska. In 2012, they moved to Fairhope to be closer to family.

Deeply grounded in her faith, Virginia was a lifelong member of First Methodist Church in Pascagoula, where she sang in the choir and played in the Handbell Choir. Her creativity and sense of community extended beyond the church-she was a skilled seamstress and quilter, as well as an avid bridge player, who cherished time with her dearest friends.

Virginia was the epitome of kindness, generosity, and grace-honest, wise, and sincere. She was also intelligent, hardworking, and strong-willed-a true force of nature. The cornerstone of her family, she always placed others before herself. Her laughter, warmth, and quiet strength will be forever missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Aubrey and Mona Lewis, and her beloved husband of nearly 60 years, Robert Harold Terreson, Jr.

She is survived by her four children, David (Pam) Terreson, Douglas (Edie) Terreson, Toni Terreson (Joey Thornton), and Lynda Gail Terreson; her grandchildren, Kelsey Terreson, Kendal (Tyler), DeWitz, Todd, Virginia, Catherine, and Aubrey Terreson; and her two great-grandchildren, Manning and Whitten DeWitz.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Virginia's caregivers, whose compassion and dedication allowed her to remain at home, surrounded by comfort and laughter. Our deepest thanks go to Lucinda (Lou Lou) Rudolph, Jakeria Taylor, JoAnn Gaiters, Kimberly Brunson, Sharon Nichols, Tamatha Campbell, Kheyanna Tucker, Shermane Dubose, and Michelle Santos, as well as Aveanna Hospice, nurse Tonia O'Daniels and Chaplain Joel Williams.