Services for Mrs. Virginia Short-Brown will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Emmanuel Baptist Church, Alexandria, with Dr. Chris Thacker officiating. Burial will follow in Alexandria Memorial Gardens, Woodworth, under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Alexandria.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, from 6-8 p.m. at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Alexandria and from noon Thursday, April 7, 2022, until shortly before the time of services in the church.

Mrs. Short-Brown peacefully departed this life on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at her home following a lengthy illness.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Denise Short; her husband, Alton Wayne Short; and her parents, Pauline and Everett Nichols.

Virginia Ann Nichols Short-Brown was born on November 16, 1938, to Everett and Pauline Nichols. She grew up on a farm in Bledsoe's far west Texas town. She was the youngest of three children, accompanied by two older sisters, Mary Ellen and Jane.

As a child, Virginia was a daddy's girl and lived a life filled with simple pleasures, such as going with her dad to the farm supply so she could select the fabric for her new dress from the feed bags. She had memories of sand storms sweeping through the flatland and leaving everything covered in dust.

Unforgettable was a day in 1945 when her Daddy, listening to their small battery radio, said, "Gin, go ring the church bell. The war is over!". She ran barefoot to the church, jumped to grab the bell-rope, and then continued to swing back and forth to notify all the neighbors and people of the town that World War II was over at last.

The church was the center of her life. She can't remember not being in church on Sunday morning, evening, and Wednesday prayer meetings.

Virginia met her husband of 53 years in her hometown of Bledsoe. They were married in 1959.

Within a few years of Wayne and Virginia's wedding, the young couple had their first heartbreak. Their baby girl, Mary Denise, died at four months of age. They buried her in the little churchyard in Bledsoe. Virginia never forgot their girl. After Wayne's death, Virginia had Mary Denise's remains moved so she could lie next to her Daddy.

Virginia and Wayne were blessed with two beautiful children. Virginia was a mom who was always at games watching her son play on the football team and daughter on the dance line, or she was chaperoning school activities and dances. Throughout their formative years, Virginia's children were at Emmanuel Baptist for Sunday School, choir, missions, VBS, and activities.

Over the last few decades, Virginia's greatest pride and joy has been spending time with her three beautiful and caring granddaughters.

A fifty-year member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, she is much loved by every little child. She was interested in them and called them each by name. Every new member at Emmanuel knew Virginia because she was the first to welcome them and remember their names.

Virginia served as Director of Adult 3 Sunday School, taught by Dr. Tom Robinson, for as long as anyone can remember, keeping everyone informed and included. Virginia served as a Deacon and on countless committees through the years. For years, she has planned and worked on the medical supplies wrapping sessions for the EBC Mexico Medical Missions.

Perhaps one of her greatest services was the years of welcoming ladies into her home, providing friendship and beauty. She became their connection to a broader world, a shoulder to lean on, and someone with whom to share joys and sorrows.

Several years after Virginia lost her beloved, Wayne, and Billy lost his dear Jane, the two began spending time together. In time they decided to marry to the delight of both of their families. Billy's children-Danny became an important part of Virginia's life.

Virginia, healthy most of her life, found herself the last few years facing severe health challenges. To no one's surprise, she met every limitation with courage and grace.

Virginia, who always had a servant's heart, will be missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be sent to Mexico Medical Mission at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 430 Jackson Street, Alexandria, LA 71301, or to an Emmanuel Baptist Church ministry of the donor's choice.