VIRGINIA MAY ESTES BIBEE
1927-2022
Virginia (Gin) May Estes Bibee (aka Mama, Nannie, Queen Mother), 94, died peacefully March 22, 2022 at the home of her daughter in Black Mountain, NC. Mrs. Bibee was born August 15, 1927 in Jackson, Mississippi to Ambrose Foster Estes, Sr. and May Worthington Spencer Estes who predeceased her. Her family evacuated to Jackson for Virginia’s birth from their home in Glen Allan, MS to escape the Mississippi River flood in 1927. Virginia’s father died when she was young and her mother later married Harry Erie Koch who predeceased her. Virginia grew up in Laurel, MS where she graduated from high school. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State College for Women (now MUW) in Columbus, MS in 1950.
Virginia and James Milton Bibee were married in 1950 and shared 59 years of adventuresome living until Jim’s death in 2010. She is survived by two children: Douglas Vance Bibee (Mary) of Granville, Ohio and Jamie Bibee Lloyd (Neal) of Black Mountain, NC; five grandchildren: Jonathan Bibee (Laura Escobar) of Trento, Italy, Benjamin Bibee (Leah Menzies) of Loveland, CO, Winston Bibee (Anne) of Virginia Beach, VA, Spencer Pharr of Austin, TX, and Virginia Pharr (Maggie Schiller) of Weimar, TX; three great grandchildren: Sam Bibee, Oliver Bibee, and Miles Bibee; three sisters-in-law; and 12 nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Ambrose Foster Estes, Jr.; and sisters, Maryanne Estes Platt and Linnie Worthington Estes Causey.
Gin and Jim were longtime residents of Covington, LA and Weimar, TX. Mrs. Bibee was a lifelong learner with special interests in the study of Scripture, reading, music and the natural world. Taking seriously the instruction to “raise children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”, she shared her strong faith not only with her own children, but also with the children of the churches to which she belonged. She served as both a Deacon (the first woman to be ordained to that office in Covington, LA) and a Ruling Elder.
During her years in Weimar, she helped to establish the Museum, served on the Board of Weimar Public Library, was involved with Parents as Teachers and the Boys and Girls Club, and participated in a garden club and several book clubs. She and Jim traveled throughout the world and made frequent visits to their children and grandchildren.
Gracious, gentle and generous of spirit to the very end, she now has entered into the joy of her Maker.
Those desiring to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to consider Schulenburg/Weimar Area Parents as Teachers, Boys and Girls Clubs of Champion Valley, First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, TX, or the May Spencer Koch and Harry E. Koch Scholarship held by the MUW Foundation in Columbus, MS.
Words are inadequate for expressing gratitude to all of Mrs. Bibee’s Care Team members both in TX and NC as well as to Hospice Brazos Valley (TX) and Care Partners Hospice (NC).
A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 2:00pm at First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, TX,
205 South Franklin Street in LaGrange.
Harwood Home for Funerals and Cremation Services is assisting the family. www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com