Virginia Linn Wessinger Padgett

Virginia Linn Wessinger Padgett (70) of Columbia, SC, passed away on September 11, 2023, surrounded by her family at home. Ginny was born in Columbia on September 5, 1953, and was the daughter of James Franklin Wessinger Jr. and Edith Virginia Riley Wessinger.

Ginny grew up in Chapin, SC, and attended Chapin High School and later, received a BA in Journalism from the University of South Carolina where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She and Wade Hampton Padgett, III were married on June 14, 1975, and moved to Savannah, GA, where she worked in the advertising/public relations field at WSAV-TV and gave private piano lessons. The Padgett’s lived and raised their family in Columbia, Charlotte and finally back in Columbia, their forever home.

The talented Mrs. Padgett was a cheerleader, beauty queen, scholar, classical pianist, writer, poet and top-notch Bridge player. She also led the Columbia II Chapter of the South Carolina Writers Association for a time. However, her most valuable talents were in the ability to light up a room with positive energy, to relate and connect with anyone, and empathetically serve the needs of others. Ginny also took any opportunity to gather loved ones and celebrate life’s moments with a glass of Prosecco. Simply, she genuinely loved people and her life was evident they loved her back. Her warm smile, compassionate heart, and zest for life will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

For the last 40 years, Ginny’s presence was also marked, but not defined by, an intense battle with the physical limitations of Friedreich’s ataxia. She demonstrated unrelenting resilience, courage and grace in trying to beat her condition every day. Through all of this, she found a way to be active; riding horses, swimming and driving her car. Her competitive spirit and desire to beat the odds were an inspiration to all who knew her. Ginny loved her home and wanted to stay in place as long as possible, which she was able to do with the loving care of Alyssa Georges and her wonderful neighbors and friends. The family is grateful for all that Alyssa, neighbors and countless others did to support her.

Ginny is survived by her children Cullen Padgett (Elizabeth) and Hampton Padgett (Christine), her pride and joy, as well as granddaughters Layla and Airlie Padgett, mother Edith R Wessinger, brother Franklin Wessinger (Leslie) and sister Janet W. Tapp (Allen), nephew Blake Wessinger and niece Caroline Tapp. She was predeceased by her husband, Wade H. Padgett III and her father, James F. Wessinger, Jr.

Visitation will be Friday, September 15, 2023, at 1:00 pm followed by the Celebration of Life Memorial Service at 2:00 pm at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dunbarfuneralhomedevine.com for the Padgett family.