Virgie Joseph Elkourie, the 11th and youngest child of Abdallah and Lula Joseph, passed away gracefully and peacefully on May 15, 2020. Virgie was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 23, 1923, and graduated from Mortimer Jordan High School where she was the reigning Football Queen of 1942. She worked at Barber’s Dairy and then Haye’s International until retirement. She was an active member of the St. Elias Ladies Altar Society and St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church. She was an active member of the Cedars-Phoenician Club. She was a dedicated volunteer at St. Vincent’s Hospital for many years—until that fateful fall at age 92 that ended her mobility.
Loving and beloved Mother of three: Paul Elkourie (Wanda), Carolyn Gwin (Larry), Fred Elkourie (Sandie); Grandmother of seven: Rique Gwin (Kelly), Jessica Elkourie-Ammons (Matt), Michel Godwin (John), Glory Gwin, Larry Gwin , Jr., Dr. Adele Fowler-Davis (James), and Lynn Fowler; great-grandmother of seven: Lauren and Andrea Gwin; Parker, Warren, Luke, and Graham Godwin, and George Davis; and many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Virgie is preceded in death by her parents, Abdallah and Lula Joseph, her daughter, Carolyn, and grandson, Larry Gwin, Jr.; her brothers, Abe (Ann), Mitchell (Omra), Joe (Yvonne), Leo and Ernest (Zafira) Joseph; and sisters, Louise (Harry) Allen, Leona (John) Harris, Hazel (Mike) Cuff, Rosella Joseph and Baby Joseph.
Virgie was a sweet soul who dearly loved her family, and her family dearly loved her. She was the best mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt for whom anyone could ask. Oh, how she loved those babies!! Rique and Jessica spent a lot of their young years with Grandma for which their parents were so very grateful. What a great influence on those kids! Due to her quiet, sweet demeaner, and love of people, she had many, many friends, and was remembered by whomever she met—and she always remembered those she met—even if it were just one time!! She was a beautiful person, inside and out, and had a great mind. You could always count on her to be the “cashier” at any function—even at the age of 92. She loved crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. She knew everyone in the large family, knew everyone’s names. If we had a question about something that happened years ago, we would ask Grandma—she always remembered. When we were in the hospital after Grandma’s fall and the doctor is telling us what we need to do, we said, tell Grandma, she’s the only one who will remember! She was also the chauffeur, at the age of 92, for her two older sisters, Hazel and Rosella. The store personnel loved to see these three ladies come into their stores—they generated a lot of interest—they were the Golden Girls of Birmingham. She loved to travel—even went to Europe solo to visit family. If there was a beach trip coming up, Orange Beach shrimp festival or oyster festival, she was ready to go!! Consider yourself fortunate if you were the recipient of one of her crocheted trivets or “travel” balls that you put on your luggage so you can spot it coming off the conveyor belt. They are the best!! All made with love. Although she was the youngest of 11, and was not supposed to know how to cook, according to her older sisters, she could make a great pan of baked kibbee and Lebanese green beans!! She was a wonderful caregiver to her daughter, Carolyn, when Carolyn was suffering with Multiple Sclerosis. She was always checking up on her sisters. Never complained, never in a bad mood, never judged anyone, always very accepting of everyone. She was very generous—always giving away her possessions. If she had something you liked, it was yours—she would just tell you to take it!! She loved company—something she truly missed in the last few weeks under quarantine.
She will be remembered for her laugh and her beautiful, sweet smile—that humble spirit.
Visitation will be 10:00 am, May 20, at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 836 8th Street South, and a funeral Mass will follow at 11 am. Interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mrs. Virgie Elkourie may be made to The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), https://secure.mymsaa.org/site/Donation2.
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