Virginia Lee (Koch) Sherman passed away on January 11, 2024 peacefully at home at the age of 87-years old with her family and caregivers by her side. Virginia was born on May 16, 1936 in Louisville, KY to Mildred and John Koch and was their only child. Her father's profession as a civil engineer created many homes for the family including Mississippi, Texas, Washington State, and Hawaii. Virginia attended Baylor University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, later earning her Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Woman's University. With a career and passion for helping people, Virginia worked at Baylor Hospital, St. Paul Hospital as an Assistant Director of Nursing and R.H. Dedman Memorial Hospital as the Director of Nursing at the Nursing Home. Virginia also maintained a small private therapy practice for several years before retiring from her nursing and therapist roles. Post retirement she spent time at Shermco Industries as the Human Resource Director in Dallas.
In 1958 Virginia married James Lenox Truitt and three precious children were added to the family: John Lawrence Truitt, Everett Kirk Truitt and Leslie Truitt Schultea. Raising her family and working occupied most of her time but Virginia also loved to play volleyball and was very proud of the medal her team earned while playing in the Senior Division at Nationals.
Virginia married Peter Alan Sherman on July 22, 1979. Together they blended his two beloved children, Melissa Sherman-Balthrope and John Alan Sherman to create a family of 7. Pete and Virginia enjoyed cruises and traveling the world! Learning how to scuba dive, they went on many scuba trips with friends and family. Trips to Hawaii were also very special to Virginia, as she spent a portion of her formative years living on the island. Influenced by her life in Hawaii, Virginia loved plants and rarely found a plant she could not grow in her backyard. She was known for her amazing assortment of Plumeria trees (from Hawaii) and her ability to grow new trees from the seed pods of her existing trees. Virginia and Pete also had a mutual love for tropical fish and golden retrievers (but really all animals in general) and especially enjoyed time with their family in the mountains of Red River, NM. A loving and charitable person, Virginia never found a dog she did not love and she and Pete donated generously to numerous wildlife/animal organizations, as well as numerous veterans charities for the benefit of U.S. heroes. Always the consummate competitor, Duplicate Bridge was a favorite pastime for Virginia after retirement - and she was always grateful for all of her fellow Bridge friends who were patient and accepting of her.
Virginia is preceded in death by her husband of 43 years Peter Alan Sherman, her parents Mildred and John Koch and her granddaughter Grace Schultea along with all of her beloved dogs (Angel, Mandy, Buddy, Rob and Jobby). Virginia is survived by her children John Lawrence Truitt and Allison Jones, Everett Kirk Truitt, Leslie Truitt Schultea and husband Dennis, Melissa Sherman-Balthrope, John Alan Sherman and wife Stephanie. She also leaves behind 9 grandchildren. Lauren Truitt, Carter Truitt, Sarah Schultea, Price Schultea, Brooke Balthrope, William Balthrope, London Sherman, Isabella Lesmes and Brody Sherman.
Always looking for a contest - she loved to play scrabble with any and all of her passionate caregivers and friends that were willing to play. It was always game on! The family would like to thank the amazing caregivers who helped to make sure that our Mom was treated with kindness, warmth, compassion, and love allowing her to transition with dignity and grace in the final 15 months of her life. Dr. Phillip Aronoff, Ovie, Faith, Claudia and Amity Hospice along with her neighbors who checked on her regularly were there until the last game was played....
Visitation and services for Virginia will be held Friday, January 19, 2024 at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225. Open casket visitation will be from 1:30-2:00 p.m. Closed casket visitation will be from 2:00-3:00 p.m. with funeral service at 3:00 p.m. and graveside committal to follow. Virginia's family would also like to invite everyone to stay for the reception to follow at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral home.
Virginia was a supporter of the following charities and would greatly appreciate any donations in lieu of flowers. Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas Https://www.goldenretrievers.org or Special Operations Warrior Foundation Https://specialops.org.
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