Virginia Dell (Thetford) McArthur
Virginia Dell (Thetford) McArthur, age 87, of Houston, passed away Monday, March 26, 2018 at Willowbrook Methodist Hospital in Spring. She was born February 26, 1931 in Grapeland, the first child of Luther Howell Thetford and Era (Owens) Thetford. She was named “Virginia” for her maternal grandmother, Telitha Virginia (Brown) Owens and “Dell” for her paternal grandmother, Mary Dell (Podany) Thetford. Her heritage runs deep in Houston County, as her family came here in 1830. Two of her ancestors, John Denson and Reuben Brown, were petitioners for the creation of Houston County.
Mrs. McArthur graduated from Grapeland High School in 1948. She and her husband were owners and operators of World Wide Welding and Press, Inc. in Houston for many years.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, March 30, 2018 at Bailey & Foster Funeral Chapel, Hwy. 287/19 in Grapeland with Bro. Randy Shipman officiating. Interment will be in Refuge Cemetery, east of Grapeland. Land for Refuge Cemetery was donated by her great grandfather, John Brown and his brother, and six generations of her family are buried there. Visitation will be on Thursday night at the Bailey & Foster Funeral Chapel from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Era Thetford; her husband, W.H. McArthur; her brother William Newton Thetford; her sister Mary Gene Thetford; and her nephew Russell Brent Pennington.
She is survived by her daughter, Sandy Talley of Kerrville; her granddaughter and husband Kristi and Alan Foster of Austin; her grandson and wife, Scott and Nikki Talley of Spring; her great grandchildren, Allison Foster, and Blake and Reese Talley. She is also survived by her sister Marjorie and husband, Roger Spake of New Braunsfel; a sister LaWanda and husband Troy Pennington of Grapeland; nieces, Shawna Linck and husband Tom, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Stephanie Kleiner and husband Mike of Olive Grove, Mississippi; and nephews Chad Myers of Galveston; Ross Pennington and wife Kim of Grapeland; and Aaron Pennington. Twelve great nieces and nephews and six great -great nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Ross Pennington, Chad Myers, Alan Foster, Ralph Brown, Howard Brown, Scott Talley, Tom Linck and Justin Linck.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Refuge Cemetery Association, 512 Selkirk St., Grapeland, TX. 75844.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey & Foster Funeral Home, Palestine, TX.
To view online leave condolences or sign the guest book go to www.baileyandfosterfuneralhome.com
