Virginia French

VIRGINIA FRENCH Saltillo - Mary Virginia Turner French, 85, died, Monday, May 19, 2014, at the Countrywood Plantation in Mantachie after an extended illness. She was born on April 19, 1929, to Leonard Jefferson and Carrie Elizabeth Bedford Turner and was one of thirteen children. She grew up in the Tupelo area and attended Lawhon High School. For the past few years, she made Saltillo her home. She worked for Sherman Warehouse as an inspector for about fifteen years. She enjoyed playing golf, having took up the hobby later in life and played in several area tournaments. She was a member of Sherman Baptist Church and while living in Saltillo attended Saltillo Baptist Church. Services will be 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Sammy Lansdell officiating. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. Survivors include one daughter, Debby Houston of Tupelo; one son, William Earl "Bill" Rakestraw (Gwen) of Madison; two sisters, Sybil DeVaughn of Tupelo and Delta Clayton of Macedonia Community; five brothers, William "Bill" Turner of Texas, Eugene Turner of Washington State, Hugh Turner of Texas, Raymond Turner of Texas and Rodney Turner of Tupelo; five grandchildren, Laura Santhanam of Washington D. C. , Jackeye Bowles of New Albany, Robby Rakestraw of Guntown, Bryan Young of Brandon and Alisha Cummings of Madison; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Russell French in 1999; one daughter, Shelia Ann Rakestraw; two sisters, Agnes Shedd and Minnie Sue Hendrix; three brothers, Joe Turner, Roger Turner and Horace Ray Turner; and one granddaughter, Michelle Dye. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at W. E. Pegues, Tupelo