My Old Friend, Virginia Johnson Laird

Recently, my daughters and I were discussing family dogs. Most of our pets have been mixed mutts or pound puppies. One of our favorites had been Rags, a little Peekapoo, who looked like a little pile of black rags on the floor at the pound. I thought about the first 'real' pekingese which I had ever seen. It belonged to Virginia Johnson's grandmother. Virginia and I got to be good friends while her mother was my third grade teacher and I often visited their house during the next few years. Sometimes Mrs. McElveen would let us play with her little pug-nosed, bug-eyed jewel. He seemed very exotic! Our Rags was not exotic, but he was loved just about as much. I had lost touch with Virginia across the years, but still have warm memories whenever I pass the little brick house on Troup Street in Kings Woods.

Even though Virginia died in January before I began my class blog, I had saved her obituary. I wanted to add it just for the record with thanks for the memories.

HOUSTON, TX - Virginia Johnson Laird, born August 9, 1941 in Aiken, South Carolina, entered into our Lord's hands January 4, 2007 at the age of 65. Virginia graduated from Augusta Richmond Academy and Bolens Business College. She started her career in the apartment industry in Columbia, SC in 1969 and continued her career in Houston from 1979 until retirement in 2001. Virginia was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and she was a loving friend to many. She was preceded in death by her son Steven John Laird, her mother Ruby McElveen Johnson and her father James Tilman Johnson. Virginia is survived by her husband of 45 years, John B. Laird, Sr., daughter Merrell L. Turpin and her husband Dean, son John B. Laird Jr. and his wife Dalene, grandchildren Justin, Kurt, Halton, Laird, Elizabeth Massey and Wyatt and great grandchildren, Kori and Landon. Virginia had a great love for life and enjoyed every moment she shared with her family and friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, Georgia 30907 from 12 pm to 1 pm with the funeral service beginning at 1 pm and burial will follow at Westview Cemetery, 2051 Division Street, Augusta, 30904. Pallbearers will be Justin Turpin, Halton Turpin, Laird Turpin, Jordan Clem, Richard O'Connell and Doyle Evans. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Virginia. Published in The Augusta Chronicle on 1/7/2007.