Virginia Smith Petri passed away in Jourdanton, Texas at the age of 89. Mrs. Petri was a longtime resident of Devine, and more recently, Jourdanton. Mrs. Petri was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma on Oct. 17, 1922 to A. J. and Esther Workman.

She attended school in Guthrie, graduating high school in 1940, and she continued her schooling at the University of Oklahoma, where she graduated in 1944 with a degree in Biology. She later followed that with a Master’s Degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in 1968.

After college, she met her first husband, Dewey Smith. They were married in 1945. She was a 60 year member of the First United Methodist Church, where she served as choir director for much of that time, and she was also very active with Eastern Star. Virginia received her teaching certificate and taught high school chemistry and science in Devine for 25 years.

She was an advocate for higher education, and inspired many to go to college and become scientists, biologists, engineers, and business people.

Upon retiring from public school, she participated in an assortment of volunteer work, including church functions and charitable activities. She was one of the founders of the hospice thrift store in Devine, and volunteered her services there for 15 years.

She will be dearly missed, but always remembered by her family and friends as an unselfish and giving person who truly cared about her fellow human beings on this earth.

Virginia is survived by her children, D. Mike Smith and wife Mary of Pleasanton, David A. Smith and wife Ann of Pleasanton, Rick Smith and wife Ruthie of Devine, Paul Smith and wife Karen of Gonzales, and Margaret Wilson and husband James of Lytle. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Melissa Scott and husband George, Brandon Smith and wife Marie, Jody Smith, Crystal Wilson and husband Nick, Sunny Lozano and husband Dave, Rick G. Smith, Erin Writer and husband Brian, Audrye Smith, Nathan Smith, Ashlee Wilson, Dewey Smith, Barrett Smith, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, and her husbands, Dewey Smith and Bob Petri.

Visitation for Virginia was on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 from 3-8 p.m. at the Hurley Funeral Home in Devine. The family will be present and receiving friends from 6-7 p.m. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, July 18, at the First United Methodist Church in Devine at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Devine.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the First United Methodist Church of Devine or Pleasanton.