Virginia Jones Harper

Virginia Nell Jones Harper was born on September 18, 1949, in Amarillo, Texas, to Lenard Pete Jones and Ruby Lynn Jones. She attended elementary and junior high school in Amarillo. Virginia later moved to Winnsboro, Texas, but due to segregation, attended Frederick Douglass High School in Pittsburg her freshman year. After integration in 1965, she was able to attend Winnsboro High School for her sophomore through senior years. During high school, she excelled as a high scholar and an all-around athlete, earning her letters in basketball as a Lady Raider. Virginia graduated in the top 10 of her class and received the History Award on Senior Day. As a member of the Future Homemakers of America, she perfected her way around the kitchen; even her sewing abilities became top-notch. Her athletic skills and interests continued well into her adult years. She was also an active member at Hynson Chapel CME Church in Winnsboro. Her presence was always known as she traveled to Sunday School conventions and visited other churches.

Virginia married after graduating high school, and to this union, two children were born. They moved to Dallas, Texas, and soon after, she began her career at Southwestern Bell, working her way up from the mail room to management. In 1988, Virginia attended a Fredrick Douglas class reunion meeting where she rekindled with Rodger Harper, and they were married on June 24, 1989. She has been a faithful & active member of St. Luke United Methodist Church since 1988, where Rodger joined her after their marriage. Virginia served as a Sunrise Usher, on the Board of Trustees and Church Council. She was also a devoted care person who served in various other roles as needed and wherever God led her.

Virginia was a dedicated & devoted mother in her children's lives, from the classroom to sports and other activities. She attended all of their games and also coached their teams. She was a very enthusiastic mother offering love, compassion, guidance, support, wisdom, and even sternness.

In 2002, Virginia retired from Southwestern Bell but did not sit down. No, not Virginia! She pursued her love of baking, becoming known as the phenomenal "cookie lady" at numerous salons and barbershops throughout the Dallas metroplex. As if that wasn't enough, she opened her restaurant, Virginia's Kitchen, in 2004 and worked tirelessly for two years. Afterward, Virginia kept active by working various jobs in customer service, banking, and as an election poll worker. Post retirement, she also worked at the Small Business Administration, the State Fair of Texas, and did anything else she could do to “keep busy” and serve people.

Virginia enjoyed an abundant & vibrant life with her husband, Rodger. She took time to vacation and travel. She was presently the family's matriarch, always giving advice, helping her family and others in need. She was a very loyal person to everyone she came in contact with. What you saw was what you got. She didn't waver in her beliefs of God, faith, and family. If Virginia said she would do something, you could count it as done.

On July 5th, 2023, Virginia went home to be with the Lord. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lenard "Pete" Jones and Ruby Lynn Jones; three brothers, Billy Wayne Jones, Marcus Jones, and Billy Ray Henson; and one sister Mary Louise Jones Rodriquez (her confidant).  Virginia is survived by her loving husband, Rodger Harper; son Eddie Fletcher Jr.; daughter Veronica Fletcher; bonus daughters Tomiko Morris and Adrienne Rogers; siblings Leonard Jones, Daisy Lemons, Diane Grant, Rita Rector (husband Fred), Trenal Jones, Cynthia Jones, Freddie Jones (husband Daryl), Thomas Jones and Stacy Jones; a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

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