Virginia Marie Bandy left this world December 3, 2022. She was born Sept. 17, 1923 in McKinney, Texas to Terrell W. Berry and Jetta M. Burke. Virginia was raised in Bailey, Texas where she and her family lived a simple life. As a child, Virginia picked cotton to help support her family.
As an adult, she moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth area where she proudly supported the war effort as a “Rosie the Riveter.” In 1942, Virginia married Garnett Bandy from McKinney. In 1945, they had a son, Ricky Bandy. She and Garnett were married until his death in 1965. Virginia never remarried.
She worked in numerous sewing factories and became an excellent seamstress. She loved to sew and bake and generously shared her handiwork with family and friends. No one left Virginia’s home without a few of her latest creations.
She enjoyed a long career at Texas Instruments in Dallas where she made many lifelong friends. After retiring, Virginia continued to pursue her hobbies of sewing and baking. She also loved visiting with family and friends and was always the life of the party. She had a talent for remembering jokes and loved to share them. One of her greatest gifts was the ability to make people laugh and have fun. Virginia’s secret to living 99 years was her positive attitude and her hope for the future. She was loved by so many and will deeply be missed.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Garnett Bandy; son, Ricky Bandy; parents Jetta Burke Savage and Terrell Berry; sisters Billie Humphries and Mary Ann Bryant; brothers Bobby Savage, Glen Berry, Bill Berry and Tommy Berry; nephew Stevie Humphries; and niece Sue Chiles.
She is survived by sister Carolyn Stevens and husband David; grandchildren Jamie Hennessee and Susan Hennessee; great granddaughter Brittany; three great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, TX 75013.