VIRGINIA BURKS RHEA,

93, of Little Rock, died January 26, 2020. She was born August 9, 1926, the youngest child of Verner Irwin Burks and Leta Burton Burks. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy Rhea; brothers, Ralph Irwin Burks and Verner Irwin Burks Jr.; and a sister, Leta Burks Hildreth. She is survived by a son, John Randall Rhea and his wife, Nancy.

Virginia was a 1944 graduate of Little Rock High School and attended Ouachita Baptist University. On July 21, 1950, she married her high school sweetheart, Roy Rhea. She was devoted to family and home, and worked alongside her husband at Rhea Drug Store until his death in 1982. An incredibly kind, gracious, creative and artistic person, she was known for her handmade greeting cards that were sold at several locations around the city, but most often, simply gifted to friends.

At the age of nine, Virginia became a follower of Jesus Christ, an event that shaped the remainder of her life. A member of First Baptist Church for more than 70 years, she regarded it as her extended family. She valued every friend and regarded them as “pearls of great price.”

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, February 7 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home, 10 Remington Dr., Little Rock, Ark. 72204 or the Roy Rhea Scholarship Fund at UAMS School of Pharmacy, 4301 W. Markham, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Mrs. Rhea’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.