Virginia Briscoe

Briscoe, Virginia Lee (Watson), 94 years, 8 months, 15 days beloved Wife, Mother, Grammy, Granny Ginger, Grammy Great, sister, aunt, teacher and friend, went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 14, 2016. Virginia was born to Oliver (OC) and Mabel Watson on April 28, 1921 in Florence KS. At age of 9 months the family moved to Arkansas City KS and at age 4, she was introduced to music which would become a major part of her life. By the age of 14, she was so accomplished on the keyboards that the Seely Music Store in Arkansas City asked her to begin teaching accordion. When she got married and moved to Wichita, Jenkins Music store asked her to join their staff as their music teacher which she did before she began to give private lessons in the family home. Throughout her vibrant life Virginia played and taught piano, organ, accordion, marimba, vibraharp, saxophone, harp and guitar. She imparted her love of music and performing to others, especially her children who she accompanied as they presented programs throughout the midwest and appeared on local television shows such as “Dusty’s Jamboree” on KAKE and “Your Sunday Show” on KTVH. They also auditioned for the “Ted Mack Amateur Hour Show.” Virginia was a strong Christian woman whose life was dedicated to the Lord. She supported and visited church missions in Africa, the Caribbean, Panama and Paraguay. She served the Lord throughout her life and at various times in Arkansas City and Wichita she was the church organist, pianist, choir director and youth sponsor. After years of teaching music to hundreds of students and serving as organist at Pawnee Avenue and Central Community Church of God, Kansas State Church of God Camp Meetings, the International Church of God Camp Meeting in Anderson, IN and for local mortuaries, she retired to enjoy her hobby of needlepoint. She and her late husband, Caroldean, traveled extensively in the USA and Europe which gave her the opportunity to purchase special needlepoint canvases. Some of these completed needlepoint canvases were displayed at the Kansas State Fair and local art exhibits. She is proceeded in death by her husband, Caroldean (CC), of 64 ½ years, and her brother, Robert Watson, she is survived by her children, Charles (Twila) - Roanoke, VA and their children Chad (Jamie) - children Kate and Kinley -Warsaw, IN and Brooke (Tony) Holterman- children Tate, Mateya, Tregan & Mia Grace -Phoenix AZ; Robert (Mary) - Chicago, IL and their children Shireen (Peter)- London UK- children Andrew (Bournemouth UK), Mathew and his son Thiago (Cartagena Colombia) and Hannah (London UK) and Tariq (Christiane) - children Zahra and Xavier (London UK); LeAne Cloud (Steve) - Wichita KS and their children Cody (Melanie) - children Chloe and Mason (Wichita) and Kelsi - children Kari and Paislee (Wichita). She is also survived by her sister, Maxine Baker – Topeka KS and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Virginia was a lifetime member of Isle Daylight Chapter of Eastern Star. Viewing will be Monday, January 25, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. The Celebration of Life service will be Tuesday, January 26 at 11:00am, both at the Lakeview Funeral Home at 12100 East 13th Street, Wichita KS. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established at Central Community Church Music Ministry, 6100 W Maple Wichita, KS 67209 and the Gentiva Hospice at 2622 West Central Avenue Wichita, KS 67203.