Virginia B. Veal

Virginia Inez Bates Veal, 100, of Jacksonville, FL, died 26 July 2016. Born 17 December 1915, in Bartow, FL, she was the daughter of the late Lewis William Bates formerly of Lakeland, FL and Mary Elizabeth (Layne) formerly of San Saba, TX and Bradenton, FL. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Prentice Lamar Veal Sr., son of the late Elton Veal Sr. and Annie Moman (Ennis) of Ocilla, GA. Virginia enjoyed an exciting and adventurous childhood in old Ortega and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1934. She and Prentice married in 1936 and made their home first in Deland, FL and then, since 1941, in Murray Hill. In 1945 they joined Riverside Park United Methodist Church where she was a faithful member of her Circle and Friendship Sunday School Class and also held several offices in the United Methodist Women. She put her faith into practice, was a loving wife and mother, and an accomplished lady. After raising their two sons, she worked 20 years in Ladies’ Fine Wear at Furchgott’s Department Store, retiring as Department Manager. She was also very proud that her father played football at the University of Florida in 1902 and 1903 and she was an avid Gator fan. Virginia is survived by one son, Lewis Elton Veal; five grandchildren: Merri Dickinson of Plant City, FL, Michelle Veal of St. Augustine, FL and partner Jeltsje Derksen of St. Augustine, FL, Christy Carroll and her husband Rick of Covington, GA, Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) Jones and husband Michael of Lewisville, TX, and Layne Elton Veal of Middleburg, FL; five great-grandsons and one great-great-granddaughter.Virginia was preceded in death by one son, Prentice Lamar Jr. of Jacksonville, FL; one daughter-in-law Sandra Sue Hacker Veal of Middleburg, FL; six siblings: Wilbur Bates, infant James Bates, Christine Stephens, and Elizabeth McDonald of Jacksonville, FL, Louise Huber of Louisville, KY, and Miriam Cushwa of Martinsburg, WV; one great-grandson, Andrew Jameson Prater of Jacksonville, FL.Virginia's funeral will be on Monday, 1 August at 11:00 am, officiated by Pastor Emily Knight at Riverside Park United Methodist Church, 819 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL, (904) 356-1423, with a viewing from 10:00-11a.m. Interment will follow at Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL. Arrangements under the care of Hardage-Giddens Town & Country Funeral Home, (904) 781-9262. In lieu of flowers, Virginia would prefer memorial contributions in any amount to Riverside Park United Methodist Church.