Virginia Petter

Virginia Nichols Petter, 84 of West Columbia, passed from this life, Thursday, June 14, 2018 in Katy, Texas. She was born in Texon, Texas in April of 1934. Raised in Alvin, she met her West Columbia sweetheart, Marvin Petter, and they married in early 1951. They happily raised their little family in West Columbia and lived among life-long friends until Marvin's death in 2015.

Virginia Petter was a friend to many in Brazoria County. As she taught in the Brazoria Intermediate School for most her teaching career, she got to know so many people who touched her life and the lives of her immediate family. She knew no social boundaries as she advocated for and taught all who needed what her skills could provide. Upon retirement from the public school system, Virginia opened a small tutoring business where she continued her special skills in reading comprehension. Many in the community, including several corporate clients who needed reading skills for workers in refining and industrial operations, benefited from her service. She was committed to improving this part of many people's lives.

Virginia also was a skilled bridge player, and constant worker in the church. Her devotion to Marvin was unmatched, and a model to all who knew her. Both she and Marvin never batted an eye at the wants and needs of their children, providing for any needs they had in school, scouts, music, sports, and college. Virginia worked on her degrees in education while being a Mom, which instilled the work and study ethics in her children.

As her time on earth drew near, Virginia moved closer to important health care and near Becky. Virginia became close to her friends at Atria Cinco Ranch and brought a constant smile to her care givers, enjoying joking around and being one of the many centers of attention they had under their care. Their loving care was a blessing to her and our family.

Virginia is survived by her daughter, Becky (Leonard); son, Mike (Denise); grandsons, Pat, Andy, Brad (Kara), Jeff (Jill), and Nick (Lisa); great-granddaughters, Kennedy and Daly; brother, Jim (Kathryn); sister-in-law, Lolly (Billy); and nephews and niece, Robert, James, and Cynthia. She is preceded in death by Marvin; her parents, Ruth Fowler and Jim Nichols; Marvin's parents, Frank and Annie Petter; brother-in-law, Robert Petter; and niece, Laurette Crisp.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 18, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Columbia United Methodist Church in West Columbia with Pastor Paul Kethley officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until service time. Serving as pallbearers will be Pat Schaider, Andy Petter, Brad Schaider, Jeff Petter, Nick Schaider, James Nichols, and Robert Petter. Burial will take place 10:00 am Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at Columbia Cemetery.

We would like to wish a heartfelt thank you to everyone at Atria Cinco Ranch where Virginia has lived since Marvin's death. We could not have asked for better love and care than she received there. We are also very appreciative to A-Med hospice who tenderly guided us through the past few weeks.

Any memorial gifts in Virginia's name may be made to Methodist Children's Home in Waco or West Columbia/Brazoria County Libraries.

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