Virginia Cole Benson, 96, of Dalton, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at Tranquility of Dalton Senior Living Home.
Sarah Virginia Cole was born on May 18, 1919, in rural Franklin County, Tennessee to Thomas Arthur Cole and his wife, Arie Virginia (Mann) Cole. Virginia was the oldest in her family and helped on her first quilt when she was eight years old, learning the tiny even stitches from her grandmother, Ardena “Deenie” Cole. In those early years, she also began designing, cutting and composing her own quilts, always a willing and capable student. Virginia was proud to have graduated from high school in a time and place when that was an unusual achievement for a young girl. Coming from a family of teachers, as well as farmers and merchants, Virginia was intent upon becoming a teacher like those strong women she admired.
When she was eighteen, Virginia married Lloyd Carlton Benson from Flintville, Tennessee, on June 1, 1937. Together they would have five children and create a loving family. Virginia began teaching school with just her high school degree. Studying during the nights, weekends and summers, Virginia then completed an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree in library science. The family moved to the east coast of Florida in the late 1950’s, both teaching the children whose parents were sending men into space. Over her career, she spent eleven years in Georgia schools and twenty-three years in Florida schools.
In retirement, back here in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, Virginia’s fondness for quilting returned and she began to piece, sew and quilt again, making treasures for her family and just a few dear friends. In those years, she also began researching her family history in earnest. Eventually she would document twelve ancestors who were in the American Revolution, joining the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, and Daughters of the American Colonists. In her unfinished application to the National Jamestowne Society, she wrote: “Genealogy is, of course, the ultimate study of family. What I have learned about the greatness - and the weakness - found in the history of my own ancestry has made me gently encourage my heirs to, at the very least, pay attention to and possibly carry on the search that has meant so much to me.”
Virginia’s proudest achievement was her family and she was so pleased that all five children completed their college educations. To anyone within listening distance, she would lovingly talk about her grandchildren, the talents of her great-grandchildren, and the smiles of her new great-great grandchildren.
Virginia was a member of the First Christian Church of Dalton, a community who loved and actively cared for her, even when she could no longer attend Sunday services in person. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Benson; son, Samuel Jackson Benson; sisters, Mary Elizabeth Cole and Jean Cole Bain; brother Frank Cole; and granddaughter Kim. She is survived by four of her children and four of their spouses, Virginia Claire Pelfrey of Dalton, Lanny and Emily Benson of Lafayette, GA, Michael Arthur and Ann Benson of Bangkok, Thailand, and Wade and Marisa Benson of DeKalb, IL; brother, Tom Cole of Dalton; nine grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. The family would like to say a special thank you the nurses and staff of Tranquility of Dalton for their love and support shown to Virginia.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, June 4, in the Chapel of Love Funeral Home with Rev. Tim McIntosh officiating. Burial will be in United Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at Love Funeral Home on Thursday, June 4 from 12-2 p.m.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 North Thornton Avenue, Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.