Virginia Lawson Stanton

Virginia Lawson Stanton (98 yrs 7 mo) died April 18, 2020 at Asbury Health Center, Maryville, Tenn. She was born September 12, 1921 in Meridian, Miss. to Anna Curry Lawson and Alton Edison Lawson. Three years after graduating from Meridian High School in 1939 she received her Registered Nurses Degree from Rush Memorial Hospital as did her two sisters. Soon after she volunteered to nurse temporarily at John Gaston Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. during the polio epidemic. It was one of her treasured memories.

April 1943 she married Jack P. Stanton also from Meridian. While Jack served in the US Army during WWII, Virginia continued her nursing career as a private duty nurse.

Their daughter, Pamela Kay, was born in 1947, and son, Don Perry, in 1951.

Virginia was a longtime member of New Providence Presbyterian Church. Over the 53 years in Maryville/Alcoa she served in various capacities at her church, including teaching in the preschool/K department, assisting with the Welcome Table, the monthly Community Sale, the Bartlett Group, and various committees. Earlier years in Maryville she was a Cub Scout Den Mother, assistant at Nellie Morton’s Private Kindergarten, and a member of the Delta Wives. She enjoyed her bridge club, visiting with her neighbors on her porch, and especially her membership in P.E.O. Chapter AU, a philanthropic education organization.

Virginia is survived by her daughter, Pam Boyd Deen (John) of Norman, Okla, and her son, Don (Debbie) of Mascot, Tenn; grandchildren, David Deen (Angela) of Edina, Minn; Katherine Deen Mantelli (Michael) of Acworth, Ga; J. Michael Deen (Beth) of Edmond, Okla, Logan Howell (Christina) of Redmond, Ore; great grandchildren, Cora and Mallory Deen; River Mantelli; Jay and Harris Deen; Truitt and Bodevan Howell; nephews, Pat McKellar (Mary Sue) and Lt. Col. Geral Long (Donni); niece, Donna Long Smith (Michael) and nephew in law, Jerry Bouchillon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack P. Stanton; sister and brother in law, June L. and E. E. McKellar of Covington, Ga; sister and brothers in law, D. Carol L. Long and Dr. Shelburne Wilson of Johnson City, Tenn, and Maj. George Long of McAllen, Texas; niece, Ann McKellar Bouchillon of Covington, Ga.

A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later time.

Those who wish can send, in lieu of flowers, a memorial to P.E.O. Chapter AU
c/o Marylou Mujat, 284 Savannah Park Dr., Maryville, Tenn. 37803.