Virginia Monk Russell

MOULTRIE, GA - Lena Virginia Gardner Monk Russell went to be with the Lord on September 29, 2022.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, October 3, 2022, at First Baptist Church of Moultrie with the Reverend Wayne Woods and the Reverend Matt Peek officiating.  Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends from 5:00- 7:00 PM Sunday, October 2, 2022, at Cobb Funeral Chapel.  

She was born on September 30, 1930, in Coolidge, Georgia, to the late Lena Alice Branch Gardner and George Russell Gardner. Her grandparents were the late Minnie Crosby Branch and John J. Branch of Brooks County and the late Sarah Braddy Gardner and Zollie C. Gardner of Coolidge. She had one brother, Doyle Russell Gardner who precedes her in death and one sister, Theresa G. Schmid of Arkansas surviving. Virginia is also survived by sister-in law Rosalind Monk Lastinger (Truman) of Georgia. She also leaves behind her beloved Border Collie, Prissy.  Virginia was a faithful lifetime member of First Baptist Church Moultrie and a member of the Joy Makers Sunday School class. In her younger years she taught Sunday School and played piano for various classes. Virginia’s faith was her sustenance. Her children remember observing her read a devotional every night before bed. Even in her last year of life, when her sight had failed, she asked her companions to read her devotions to her each night.

She was the wife of David Monk (deceased) of Moultrie to whom she was married for 52 years until his death in 2000. She was later married to Jay T. Russell (deceased) of Berlin.

Virginia and David had three children all surviving: Jennifer E. Monk Rainey (Skip) of Denver North Carolina, Arthur Harrison Monk (Kathie) of Columbia South Carolina and Alison Monk Peterman (Richard) of Valdosta GA.  Virginia leaves behind her adoring grandchildren: Ashley Rainey Cox (Brad) of NC, Lauren Rainey Tenney (Spencer) of TN, Mariah Monk Carraway (Josh) of SC, B. Gwen Monk of SC, A’leah J. Monk of GA, Kalan Jones (Melissa) of FL, Tristan Peterman (Dustin) of FL and Joely Peterman Coker (Nicholas) of AL, all surviving.  She is also survived by ten great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Virginia was the owner of Ginger’s Bridal Fashions of Moultrie and Valdosta from 1969 until her retirement in 1991.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her honor to Virginia’s beloved church, First Baptist Church of Moultrie, GA.

Cobb Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.  Please sign the online guestbook at www.cobbfuneralchapel.com.