Virginia Ruth Herndon

Virginia Ruth (Davisson) Herndon passed away peacefully on February 11, 2015, in her home in Grants Pass, Oregon. One daughter, Karen, and two beloved caregivers were with her at the time. She lived more than 99 years.

Virginia was born on July 17, 1915, in Denver, Colorado. The only child of Presley B. and Etta R. Davisson, she always wished for a sibling. She transferred her wish into a great love for all the babies and children she met, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren in later years. She grew up, attended schools and worked in Denver. She met her husband Byron K. (Kes) Herndon at church. They were married in 1934 and the next year welcomed their son, Bryce.

Virginia and her husband lived in Utah, Idaho and Nevada while he worked for the Forest Service. During this period, two daughters were born: Betty and Karen. The family moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, in 1946 after Kes bought an accounting practice. Virginia found a true home in Grants Pass and lived the rest of her life here. Her life's work was devoted primarily to caring for her home, her husband and three children, although she also worked part-time for years in Kes' accounting offices.

All her life Virginia loved animals of all kinds. As a young girl she had pet bantam hens and a cat. In her last years she took great pleasure in watching the birds from her windows and the family dogs that were brought to visit. She especially loved horses. Although she only got to ride once while she was growing up, she remembered the occasion with great pleasure. Later, after her children acquired horses, she fulfilled her earlier wishes of learning to ride and sometimes rode with them on the trails. She also took care of the horses for some years when both daughters were living in places where they could not keep them. Although she was ready for that responsibility to end she also missed the horses greatly when it did. Until the week before she died she would say she wished there were horses out in the pasture that she could watch.

Virginia exemplified kindness, gentleness and love as a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She was a peacemaker and, throughout her life, spoke positive words to and of everyone. She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ and only during the last year was unable to attend church regularly.

Virginia is survived by her three children, Bryce Herndon, Betty Massoni, Karen Rogers, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. B. K. (Kes) Herndon, her husband, died in 2004.

A Memorial Service and reception will be held at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 2:00 pm.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2-3