Virginia Lee (nee Whobrey) Walker, 100, of Front Royal, Virginia, formerly of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2024, at her daughter’s home. She was born March 13, 1924, in Shiloh Township to the late William Howard and Edith Mae (Knight) Whobrey.
Virginia grew up during the Great Depression. She loved telling childhood stories about living out on the Old Centralia Road. At the age of 16 she married G. Clifton Oathout on August 31, 1940, in Morganfield, Kentucky. After WWII, and the death of their son, the couple moved to northern Illinois for work, eventually settling in Zion, Illinois. While working at Abbotts Laboratories, she completed her degree in Home Design. She returned to Mount Vernon and married Willard W. “Bud” Walker on September 5, 1987, in Bluford, Illinois. He preceded her in death on January 31, 2013.
Virginia is survived by her loving daughters, Shari Ryerson and husband, Shayne of Front Royal, Virginia and Debra Mae Stocker and husband, Gene of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin; her grandchildren, Heather Marie (Baldwin) Lüders and husband, Philipp of Nieuw-Vennep, The Netherlands, and Robin LaTourette (Baldwin) Woznica of Front Royal, VA; three great-grandchildren, Ashley LaTourette, Robert Arthur and Cameron David Woznica, one great-great granddaughter, Melanie LaTourette Gannon; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husbands, Virginia was preceded in death by her son, Michael Oathout; a sister, Doris Webb, and brothers, Roger A., Paul W., and William T. Whobrey.
A Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 10:00 am to 10:30 am at Bethel Memorial Cemetery. A Graveside Service will begin at 10:30 am. Interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Virginia’s honor to Blue Ridge Hospice of Winchester, Virginia. Checks will be accepted at the funeral home.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
