Virginia Gravitt Thomason

She was born on May 8, 1935, in Pratt City, Alabama, to Leo Alexander Gravitt and Maggie Limbaugh Gravitt.

On April 23, 1951, she married the love of her life, David M. Thomason, Sr. Together they built a loving home and were blessed with five children, twelve grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. They shared 47 wonderful years of marriage before David’s passing in 1999.

Virginia attended Pratt City Elementary School and Ensley High School.

A born-again Christian and lifelong Baptist, Virginia’s faith was a large part of her life. She was a member of West End Highlands Baptist Church for many years before moving to Vestavia Hills in 1972, where she attended Green Valley Baptist Church and later joined Shades Mountain Independent Church.

She was an active member of the Jackson Elementary PTA, where she faithfully served as a room mother. She found great joy in supporting her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, rarely missing an opportunity to cheer them on at their Little League games and other sporting events.

Virginia faithfully served the Lord by teaching Vacation Bible School for many years and found great joy in sharing God’s love with children. Her greatest ministry, however, was her family. She guided each of her children in their faith, ensuring they came to know Jesus Christ as their personal savior, attended church, and followed Him in believers baptism. Her faith and Christ-centered example became a legacy that continues through her children, grandchildren, and generations to come.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, David Thomason Sr., son, David Thomason Jr., great grandchildren, Caroline Davis, Vannessa Lawrence, father, Leo A. Gravitt, mother, Maggie Limbaugh Gravitt, brother, John Amos Gravitt, sisters, Elnora Gravitt, Mary Rivers, Helen Newsome.

She is survived by her children, Diane Black (Len), Michael Thomason (Kathy), Rick Thomason (Eva), Lori Lawrence (Scott), grandchildren, Stephanie Gwin (Adam), Allison Rupertus (Jack), Brittany Gadilhe (Patrick), Chris Black (Donna), Michael Thomason, Jr. (Lauren), Nicole Hardekopf (Brad), Jennifer Thomason (Lynn), Richard Thomason (Kesinee), Chad Thomason (Jessica), Jessi Davis (Jared), Scott Lawrence II (Savannah), Asa Lawrence (Alaina), great grandchildren Sydney Major (Zack), Avery Gwin, Addison Gwin, Jackson Rupertus, Coleman Rupertus, Hadley Rupertus, Natalie Gadilhe, Noah Gadilhe, Emory Gadilhe, Elliotte “Ellie Mae” Gadilhe, Madison Thomason, Michael “Trey” Thomason III, Pierce Thomason, David Hardekopf, Leah Hardekopf, Jennifer “Jenny” Thomason, Charles “Reid” Thomason, McKenzie Thomason, Ellie Thomason, Chad “Tucker” Thomason, Brynn Thomason, Sam Davis, Shepherd Davis, Audrey Duran, Lyla Lawrence, her sister, Marie Crocker, and a host of loving nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Monday, July 6, at Southern Heritage Funeral Home from 1:30-2:30 pm. Followed by a chapel service at 2:30 pm. Burial will immediately follow at Southern Heritage Cemetery.