Virginia "Ginny" Lee Deane

Virginia Lee “Ginny” Deane passed peacefully from this life on July 26, 2025, with her beloved family by her side. She was 91 years old—a number that barely scratches the surface of the depth, joy, grit, and beauty packed into her years.

Born in St. Louis on April 10, 1934, to the late Champ and Virginia (Dallas) Bomer, Ginny was raised near The Hill, a lively Italian-American neighborhood that taught her the joys of good food, lively conversations, and the unshakeable love of family.

She graduated from Southwest High School, where she was involved in everything from bowling club and student council to operetta. She also held titles including pep club captain, tennis club president, editor of the school newspaper, and Holly Prom Queen. A magnetic and energetic spirit, she was never one to sit still when there was something to do, someone to help, or fun to be had. Simply put, if something was happening, Ginny was in the middle of it.

After enrolling at the University of Missouri-Columbia, she caught the eye of Bill Deane, a farm boy from southeast Missouri. Unfortunately for him, Ginny was mid-sorority rush and under a vow of silence. He finally landed a first date, and the rest was history.

The couple married on February 6, 1954, in St. Louis and were blessed with 61 years together. Ginny kissed her life in the city goodbye and embraced—albeit somewhat skeptically—a new life on the farm. It didn’t take long for her to slip into the role of farm wife and eventually mother to their four children.

She wore motherhood like a badge of honor and poured herself into her kids’ lives. Church on Sunday and family dinnertime were non-negotiables. In addition to running a small army at home, she also kept the farm’s books and made sure no one missed a meal, even if it was served on a tailgate in the middle of a field.

She introduced the family to lake life, and the tiny, well-loved “cabin” on Lake Norfork has been the source of countless family vacations and fond memories over the years. It was often overflowing with kids and mattresses shoved into every corner, because with Ginny, there was always room for more.

She was known to 14 grandchildren (and all their friends) simply as “Nanny.” And Nanny never missed a thing. Class parties, award ceremonies, band performances, school plays—she was there. She was a listener, an encourager, a partner-in-crime, and sometimes a co-conspirator. She gave her time as freely as her hugs and always had a way of making even the ordinary moments feel special.

A woman of many hats—and even more necklaces—Ginny was a caretaker, world traveler, church leader, and keeper of the best-stocked pantry in the Midsouth. She was barefoot more often than not, tending to her yard—an untamed masterpiece, just like her. She had an insatiable sweet tooth and a love for knick-knacks—elephant figurines, magazine clippings, family photos, vintage trinkets, random rocks and pieces of driftwood—each with a memory attached. Her home was a shrine that could tell a thousand stories, and if you were in need of anything, you’d likely find it in Nanny’s basement.

She loved to travel and never turned down a shopping trip, whether to St. Louis or Aldi. She traveled the world with her sister Beverly and passed on her wanderlust to the next generation, treating the whole family to unforgettable trips to Mexico, Disney World, and Florida.

At home, she was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, where she served on countless committees and was honored with the Joyce Meyer Award in 1996. Her faith was the foundation of her life, and her generosity flowed from it.

Ginny was the kind of woman who made everything around her feel warmer, brighter, and somehow more alive. Even in her final years with dementia, she never forgot her children’s names. Her mind may have faded, but her love never did.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William Harrison “Bill” Deane III and her sister, Beverly Calvert. Survivors include her children, William H. "Bill" (Vicki) Deane IV, Mark (Sandy) Deane, Laurie (Craig) Littleton, and Lisa (David) Vaughn, all of Sikeston. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren: Kristen (Kurt) Tarwater, Jennifer (Chris) Baker, Lauren (Heath) McGill, Will (Amber) Deane, Clay (Sara Beth) Deane, Matt (Kaci) Deane, Hunter (Savannah) Deane, Justin (Caroline) Littleton, Austin (Liz) Littleton, Addie (Alex) Mayfield, Spence (Hillary) Vaughn, Sarah (Richard) Selleck, Leah (Heath) Ruchotzke and Ben Walters; and 31 great grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Visitation will be from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in Sikeston. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 5:30 p.m. with Pastor Jennifer Moxley and Rev. Fred Leist, former pastor and close friend, officiating. Interment will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston, with her grandsons serving as pallbearers.

In memory of Ginny’s generous spirit, the family asks that you do something kind for someone else— feed them, hug them, share words of encouragement, or make a charitable contribution to a meaningful cause.

Her love lives on in the lives she helped shape. Ginny Deane didn’t just live a good life—she threw confetti at it, kissed it on the cheek, and danced barefoot right through it.

Nunnelee Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com for the Deane family.