Virginia Bryson Conner

Virginia was born on April 6, 1936 to Hewey and Alice Bryson in Loudon, TN. She had one older brother, Larry Bryson. Growing up, Virginia was spunky and full of joy. At 10 years old, she attended a revival, where she learned about Jesus. After returning home to talk with her mother, Virginia committed her life to the Lord. She faithfully attended church at Central Baptist Church of Bearden in Knoxville, TN, and Virginia sang in the choir when she was younger.

When Max David Conner first saw Virginia singing in the choir, he thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He proceeded to diligently call her for two years, until she agreed to go out with him. At the time, Max was in college at the University of Tennessee and enrolled in ROTC. With his commission date approaching he told Virginia he would have to leave for service, and she promptly replied, “I’m going with you!” Soon after, on August 29, 1958, Max and Virginia were married and began their life together, which became an enduring, selfless, and ever-faithful bedrock for multiple generations to follow.

After traveling for several years with the Army, Max and Virginia settled back in Knoxville, TN and returned to Central Baptist Church of Bearden. Virginia served in many ways at their church, including the children’s ministry, women’s ministry, prayer ministry, and decorating ministry. They were blessed with three children: Janice, David, and Michael (Mike). Virginia faithfully tended to the needs of her family, even caring for her Mother-in-Law and Aunt for many years. In the words of Max, Virginia was always willing to follow wherever their journey took them: “She made it fun but kept me in line.”

As their children grew and married, Max and Virginia were blessed with 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Virginia continued to pour into the lives of her family members. Her home and heart were always open, and she unconditionally nurtured and served her family with grace. She always had an encouraging word to say, usually sprinkled with a little bit of sarcasm and whole lot of love. If ever asked how she was doing, Virginia often said she was feeling “fat and sassy.” Her joy was contagious, and her eyes held the spark of a woman who happily (and mischievously) embraced each season of her life. There was no such thing as too much dessert, never too many children in her home, and never too much busyness that she couldn’t find a moment to share her joy.

Virginia’s life has been marked by faithful obedience in her walk with the Lord. She has finished her race, she has kept the faith, and she has entered into the joy of her Master. Virginia is whole, healed, and complete, resting with her Savior. She has heard those wonderful words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Virginia is reunited in heaven with her parents, Hewey and Alice Bryson, her brother, Larry Bryson, and her sister-in-law, Kay Bryson.

Virginia leaves a legacy on this earth through her husband, Max Conner; her three children: Janice Conner Denny (Greg) of Tullahoma, TN, David Conner (Jeanette) of Knoxville, TN, and Mike Conner (Kim) of Columbia, SC; her nine grandchildren: Joshua Denny (Faith), Allison Welsch (Stephen), Andrew Denny (Kathy), Kristin Denny, Bryson Conner, Hayley Conner, Daniel Conner, Ashton Conner, and Caleb Conner; and her five great-grandchildren.

Virginia’s life will be celebrated and honored at Berry Highland West (9913 Sherrill Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37922) on Friday, August 1. Visitation is at 11AM, and the funeral will be held at 12PM. A graveside service will follow.