Virginia Nell Sexton

Virginia Nell Sexton passed away peacefully on September 26, 2023 at the age of 96 surrounded by family. Everyone called her Nell, except her grandchildren who called her Meemaw. If you were lucky to have known her, you knew she had an amazing zeal for life and loved to have fun. Nell was blessed with the gift of gab, her wit could catch you off guard. She was always quick to engage a stranger with a friendly hello. Nell was a longtime member of the Friendship Sunday School class at Smyrna First Baptist Church. When she wasn’t bowling with her best friends, you could find her on her line dance team, where they performed for fundraisers and at nursing homes.

Nell was born September 14, 1927 in the mountain town of Blackey, Kentucky and later moved to Reidsville, North Carolina with her parents and four siblings. She met the love of her life, Sam Edwin “Jack” Sexton, in Reidsville and they were married on November 22, 1952. They moved to Spencer, North Carolina for Jack’s new job with Southern Railway, where they raised their children, Joanna, Sam and Mark until 1967 when they moved to Marietta, Georgia.

Nell was a loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. These relationships meant everything to her. She was a staunch defender of family and friends and was quick to step up when family or friends were in need. If there was a job to be done, she was the first to help out.

Nell was predeceased by her husband Sam E Sexton,Sr, father Lester Schrum, mother Lottie Massey Schrum, sisters Stella Schrum Arthur and Constance Schrum Cooke, brothers Owen Schrum and John Schrum.

Nell is survived by her daughter Joanna Sexton Pelphrey, sons Sam E Sexton, Jr and Mark K Sexton, grandchildren Allyson Pelphrey, Taylor Sexton, Haley Sexton and Hannah Sexton, and great grandchildren, Olivia Sexton and Nora Sexton.

Her funeral service will be held Saturday, September 30, 2023, 1:00 PM at Davis-Struempf Funeral Home Chapel with Justin Rader officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation prior to the service from 11:00AM-1:00PM. A private family graveside service will be held immediately following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nell’s name to the Basinger-Butcher Benevolence Fund, which goes to the benefit of the caring staff at Presbyterian Village. Checks can be made to the following address:

Presbyterian Homes of Georgia

Basinger-Butcher Benevolence Fund

In Care of: Chaplain Chris Moore-Keish

2000 East-West Connector

Austell, Georgia 30106

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