Brothers & Sisters

Harold Wayne Pinkston (1922-1997)

Virginia E. (Pinkston Pegg) Rich North Street

Virginia Eleanor Rich, 88, passed away on July 14, 2008 at the home of her daughter in North Street, Michigan. She was surrounded by her family who loved and cherished her. She was born in Dunklin county, Missouri to C.A and Dollie Pinkston on January 4, 1920. Virginia was baptized into Jesus Christ at the age of 12, and has always been a strong believer in Christ's promises of life after death. She eagerly looked forward to the time she would stand face to face with God. Virginia graduated as valedictorian of her high school in Campbell, Missouri. She got her teaching certificate from Southeast Missouri Teachers' College in Cape Giradeau, Missouri She taught in one-room school houses for several years in southeast Missouri, until she moved to Port Huron, Michigan in 1941 with her family. Virginia was blessed with two long marriages. In 1945 she married James P. Pegg of St. Clair. To this union was born James Philip Pegg Jr. and Susan D. Pegg. Jim died in 1966. Virginia married Grant T. Rich in 1968 in Port Huron. Grant died in 1991 in Mabank, Texas. Virginia was a longtime employee of Michigan Bell Telephone Co. She retired in 1975 with her last position being that of Outside Facilities' Engineer. She was one of the first women to enter this field in Michigan. After retirement, Virginia and Grant moved to the Cedar Creek Lake area of East Texas. She taught ladies' bible classes for many years in that area. Virginia moved back to Port Huron in 1994. She had lived in North Street for the past 8 years with her daughter and son-in-law. Virginia was a member of the Church of Christ and the Telephone Pioneers. Several years ago, Virginia wrote a book about the early development of the Port Huron Church of Christ, including her mother and father's involvement in the church's beginnings here. She enjoyed . studying the Bible, walking in God's nature, reading Christian novels, doing crossword puzzles, cookin' up a mess of greens and cornbread, sending cards of encouragement, and spending time with her two great-granddaughters, Ansley and Olivia Henry. Virginia was proceeded in death by two loving husbands; her parents; her brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Thelma Pinkston; and a special sister-in-law, Esther Lilienthal. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her sons and daughter-in-law, Philip and Lydia Pegg (Nacogdoches, Texas); her daughter and son-in-law, Su Pegg Lane and Allan Lane (North Street); her beloved grandchildren, Chris and Sara Pegg (Russellville, AR) Chauntel and Steve Henry (Lakeport, MI), Erik Pegg (Dallas, TX), Joshua and Rachel Lane (Shreveport, LA), and Rebecca Lane (Burlington, WA); six greatgrandchildren, Ansley and Olivia Henry and Samuel. Henry, Oliver and Eleanor Pegg; two favorite cousins, Fred Shewmaker and Mar-cella Bethel; her devoted sisters-in-law, Marilyn Pegg, Martha Shaken and Mary Schneider, and many kind and loving nieces, nephews and friends. Virginia also leaves behind her dear, dear friend, Shirley Fry of Clyde Twp, with whom she enjoyed many lunches at "The Voyageur" in St Clair. Virginia has already been cremated through Smith Family Funeral Home. Her ashes will later be buried in King Cemetery in Kemp, Texas between her father and husband. A celebration of her life, including the sharing of memories of family and friends will be held at the Church of Christ, 756 Seventeenth Street, Port Huron, on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be made in Virginia's name to Blue Water Hospice of Port Huron.¹

Sources: