Celebrating the life of
Virginia C. Barnes
December 21, 1927 - May 07, 2015
Born In Savannah Georgia on December 21, 1927 to Myrtle Murphy Cooper and John (Jack) Cooper. Virginia attended school in Savannah and enjoyed her days with friends and family at Tybee Island and Isle of Hope. She enjoyed walks and bike rides by the ocean, crabbing at Fort Screven and dancing to the big bands that would come to the Tybee Island Pavilion.
Virginia volunteered as a Hostess for the USO during World War II, where she met her future husband, Walter (Wally) S. Ambrose. They married and had three daughters, Linda, Diana and Laura. Virginia enjoyed the years she spent at home with her children, during which time she served as their Brownie Leader and the Secretary of the Windsor Forest Garden Club.
When Virginia started her business career, she was employed by Savannah Urological Clinic. She enjoyed working with all of them and retired from her Office Manager position after 24 years. She left Savannah and moved to California, to join some of her family, and was employed by the University of California in Irvine. Upon retirement, she returned to her beloved Savannah to be with her daughter, Laura, where she was loved and cared for until her passing.
Virginia is preceded in death by her father John (Jack) Cooper, her mother Myrtle Murphy McKethan, her step father Reynolds Linwood McKethan and sisters, Lois Theresa McKethan and Linda Marie McKethan.
Virginia is survived by her daughters Laura Ann Ambrose of Savannah, Ga., Diana Ambrose Makacinas (John) of Irvine, California, Linda Ambrose Peebles of Huntington Beach, California and grandsons Sean A. Peebles (Tammy) of Conroe Texas and Brian A. Peebles (Christine) of Irvine, California and step granddaughters Blair and Sydney of Conroe, Texas.
Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Funeral Service will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
Remembrances may be made to the American Heart Association.
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
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On behalf of Virginia C. Barnes’ family, we want to thank all the people who came to our assistance when our Mom had her fatal heart attack at one of Tybee’s restaurants on May 5, 2015. To the guests in the restaurant with medical backgrounds that immediately came to help when they saw our need. Especially, the male emergency room nurse, the male ENT and the two female nurses. You did everything possible for our Mom until the ambulance arrived and we are so thankful and felt that God placing you there was such a blessing for us all.
To the restaurant staff that called 911 for assistance, comforted and prayed with us, to those who cleared the restaurant of other patrons, and to those who drove our car back to where we were staying and then had the long walk back to the restaurant; we can’t thank you enough for all the empathy and support you gave us.
To the ambulance crew that transported Mom to Memorial Hospital and performed CPR all the way to the hospital and took her medications to the emergency room staff; thank you for not giving up on our Mom.
To Bruce, the driver of the second ambulance, thank you for taking me to Memorial and for your calm, caring manner and the soothing words you gave me.
If there is anyone we forgot, we apologize, but please know how much your assistance and prayers were and are appreciated.
You will never know the relief we feel knowing our beloved Mom received immediate and professional care upon her attack. We thank God that you were there for us and pray that God will bless you always.
Laura Ambrose, Linda Peebles and Diana Makacinas
Whenever I think of Virginia, I think back to the great times we had, especially one Christmas with Aunt Lois telling the "How the angel ended up on top of the Christmas tree" story. Virginia had on a gorgeous red dress, looking more glamorous than Elizabeth Taylor, just laughing, and having a great time. She was always warm, and sincere with everyone. So happy she was able to spend her last days at the beach she loved so much. You will be greatly missed by all whose lives you touched. Love and RIP sweetheart, Greg
- Greg Michaelson, Sebastopol, CA
Never have I known anyone who always had a smile for everybody. She had a way of making everyone feel that they were the most special person. She was a huge influence in my life and I shall always treasure my memories and time spent with her. There is so much I would like to say, but I think I shall just say, Peace be with you and fly where the angels fly. I Love You. Patricia
- Patricia Mikkelsen-Ebert, Sebastopol, CA
Demeaning mother-in-law jokes need not apply in my world. I have had the pleasure of knowing her half my life and there was NEVER an instance when I said anything disparaging about her. She was the sweetest, kindest and most gentle person I met. She was the epitome of a Southern, genteel lady. She was right out of central casting--a beautiful person inside and out. They say "Looking at the mother is what your wife will be in the future"--I say "GREAT!" God bless you Virginia. I love you.
- John Makacinas, Irvine, CA
Mom, I Love You. I have considered it an honor, a privilege and blessing that I got to spend the last 10+ years of your life with you. You were my constant companion, my roommate, my friend, my home and I will miss you immensely! Mom, you are my heart and soul and I will thank God everyday that He bestowed upon me the best mother He ever created! Happy Mother's Day, until we meet again....Love Always, Laura
- Laura Ambrose, Savannah, Ga
Momma, I love you with all my heart and soul. God gave me the best Mother on this earth. I will hear your loving voice and feel your gentle touch each day until we meet again, when we can again share our loving embrace. Eternal love, Diana
- Diana Ambrose Makacinas, Irvine, CA
Whenever I think of Virginia, I think back to the great times we had, especially one Christmas with Aunt Lois telling the "How the angel ended up on top of the Christmas tree" story. Virginia had on a gorgeous red dress, looking more glamorous than Elizabeth Taylor, just laughing, and having a great time. She was always warm, and sincere with everyone. So happy she was able to spend her last days at the beach she loved so much. You will be greatly missed by all whose lives you touched. Love and RIP sweetheart, Greg
- Greg Michaelson, Sebastopol, CA
Never have I known anyone who always had a smile for everybody. She had a way of making everyone feel that they were the most special person. She was a huge influence in my life and I shall always treasure my memories and time spent with her. There is so much I would like to say, but I think I shall just say, Peace be with you and fly where the angels fly. I Love You. Patricia
- Patricia Mikkelsen-Ebert, Sebastopol, CA
Demeaning mother-in-law jokes need not apply in my world. I have had the pleasure of knowing her half my life and there was NEVER an instance when I said anything disparaging about her. She was the sweetest, kindest and most gentle person I met. She was the epitome of a Southern, genteel lady. She was right out of central casting--a beautiful person inside and out. They say "Looking at the mother is what your wife will be in the future"--I say "GREAT!" God bless you Virginia. I love you.
- John Makacinas, Irvine, CA
Mom, I Love You. I have considered it an honor, a privilege and blessing that I got to spend the last 10+ years of your life with you. You were my constant companion, my roommate, my friend, my home and I will miss you immensely! Mom, you are my heart and soul and I will thank God everyday that He bestowed upon me the best mother He ever created! Happy Mother's Day, until we meet again....Love Always, Laura
- Laura Ambrose, Savannah, Ga
Momma, I love you with all my heart and soul. God gave me the best Mother on this earth. I will hear your loving voice and feel your gentle touch each day until we meet again, when we can again share our loving embrace. Eternal love, Diana
- Diana Ambrose Makacinas, Irvine, CA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
