Virginia Jo Frederick

Virginia Jo Mason Frederick died in her sleep on April 16, 2009. Gin, as she was known to everyone, had been ill for a long time but her health had deteriorated recently. Mrs. Frederick was born in Sweetwater, TN on May 26, 1927 to Worth and Mary Mason. She and her husband, Walter “Buddy” Frederick, Jr., owned and operated restaurants in Athens, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Ten Mile, and Clarksville. Buddy had died in 1994 and she had moved to Knoxville shortly thereafter, where she lived until her health began to decline. She is survived by her sister, Jretta Black of Maryville and several nieces and nephews, to whom “Aunt Gin” was the source of great pride for her flair, fashion, and class. As per her wishes, no funeral will be held but the family and friends will conduct a graveside service at Sweetwater’s Westview Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Sunday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P. O. Box 1818, Memphis, TN 38101.