Mary Virginia Priest

1933 - 2024

Mary Virginia Priest

February 18, 1933 - November 21, 2024

Mary Virginia Settle Priest, 91, passed away on November 21, 2024, in Warrenton, VA, where she was also born and raised. She was surrounded by three generations of her family at her passing, following a long struggle with dementia.

Mary was a long-time resident of Amissville with her beloved husband, Charles Robert Priest, Sr. (deceased). Mary was the mother of Charles Robert Priest, Jr. (Margaret) (both deceased) and Lisa Kimberly Priest Morrison (Lewis) of Warrenton. She was also the proud grandmother of four grandchildren, James Robert Priest (Elizabeth) of Minneapolis, MN, Mathew Mason Priest of West Deptford, NJ, Lauren Kimberly Morrison of Warrenton, and Luke Priest Morrison (Brenda Straka) of Urbana, IL, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, Aubrey William Settle and Dollie May (Virginia) Hitt Settle Milbourne; brothers, Aubrey Douglas Settle and Milton Franklin Settle (who died in infancy); and a sister, Nancy Lee Settle Frazier Petty.

She is survived by sisters, Elsie Frances Settle Lawrence of Amissville, Margaret Elizabeth Settle Shifflett of Alexandria, Ruby Jean Settle Clements of Manassas, Martha Ann Settle Wisecarver of Inwood, WV; and a brother, David Whitley Milbourne, Sr. of Locust Grove.

A 1950 graduate of Warrenton High School, Mary worked as a waitress at the Blue Parrot Restaurant, as a telephone operator at the Warrenton Training Center, and served as a Tupperware consultant. Later, Mary became a clerk at the Rixeyville Post Office, moving up to become the postmaster of the Viewtown, VA, Post Office. With a great love for civic duty, gardening, history, quilting, and genealogy, Mary was active in numerous organizations across Rappahannock and Culpeper counties, including Amissville Baptist Church, the Amissville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, the Amissville Homemakers Club (charter member), the Daughters of the American Revolution, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Rappahannock County Historical Society, the Rappahannock County Garden Club, Fauquier Heritage and Preservation Foundation, the Germanna Foundation, the Tea Leaf Club International, and the Academy of Gardeners.

The family received visitors at Moser Funeral Home in Warrenton, on November 24, from 3 to 5 p.m. A memorial service was held at Amissville Baptist Church, on November 25, at 11 a.m., followed by a burial service in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Amissville Baptist Church, P.O. Box 158, Amissville, VA 20106 and Amissville Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 147, Amissville, VA 20106. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff of White Springs Senior Living for the excellent care and loving environment provided to Mary over the last three years.