August 5, 1924 - April 11, 2012
Virginia Delores Hamilton Belding was born in Taylor Co., Abilene, TX on August 5, 1924. She was the youngest of three daughters born to J.D. (James David) Hamilton and Frances Belle Walker Hamilton. She graduated from Abilene High School and attended McMurry College. She then worked for 3 years in civil service for the U.S. Army in Camp Barkley as chief payroll clerk for the medical administrative officer’s candidate school during WWII. Additionally, she served as chief payroll clerk for the civilian personnel division until the war was over.
Following the war and prior to marrying Curtis Gage Belding in 1947, she worked for Humble Oil & Refining in Abilene. Curtis and Virginia had two sons, David Hamilton Belding and Thomas Gage Belding.
After her marriage, family and volunteer work became her chosen profession. She joined the Methodist Church at age 8 and was active in various roles throughout her life. She was awarded the Methodist W.S.C.S. (Women’s Society of Christian Service) gold pin and was among a small group of women asked to serve on her church board. She was active in the hospital auxiliary for 15 years and was Service Chairman with the American Cancer Society in Winkler County for 12 years.
After her husband retired in 1977 (after 42 years with Texaco) they built a retirement home and moved to Buchanan Lake. With children raised and husband retired, Virginia began taking art classes which jump-started her 30+ year passion for oil painting. For many years she was an active member of the Buchanan Arts and Crafts and Highland Lakes Art Guild. Her paintings of Texas Hill Country scenes were sought out by many enthusiasts of Bluebonnet flowers and Texas Longhorn cattle. Her art has been acquired by people residing in at least 8 European countries and in many States throughout the U.S.
She is predeceased by husband Curtis, stepson Don Allan Belding, sisters Melba Thornton and Mary Ellen Tankersley and her beloved grandson Grant Hamilton Belding.
Virginia is survived by son, David and wife Susan of Houston, son Tom and wife Jo Ellen of Roswell, NM, grandchildren Jacque Belding Miller and Wesley Belding, daughter-in-law Melanie S. Belding, step-grandsons Doug Belding and wife Kim and Scott Belding and their families. In addition, she is survived by niece Lynda Brender and husband Art and nephew Jim Tankersley and wife Carolyn and their families.
Graveside service will be Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park, near Burnet. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that any memorial remembrances be directed to the First United Methodist Church in Marble Falls, TX.
Condolences may be offered at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are under the direction of Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home of Marble Falls.
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