Virginia Ann Taylor passed away at home in the early morning of July 31, 2021, in the arms of her husband, Jim. She was 77 years old. Virginia was born to the late Jess and Marie Tipton in the Smokey Mountains of Eastern Tennessee. Virginia graduated from Walland High School and received medical training at Mayville College and Blunt Memorial Hospital. She married Jerry Bell but divorced later. They had one son together. Virginia met the love of her life, James (Jim) Taylor and they were married in 1977. After their wedding, they moved to Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico where Jim was stationed with the United States Army. They returned to the United States where Virginia continued her work in medical administration.

In 1987, they moved to Germany where Jim was assigned to HQ US Forces Command Europe at Patch Barracks.

Virginia joined the civil service and worked in the Office of the Command Surgeon General. After Germany, Virginia and Jim moved to Military Ocean Terminal, Bayonne, NJ, and then back to Newport News seven years later. Virginia concluded her civil service work at Norfolk Navy Base and retired in 2000.

After retirement, Virginia volunteered at Mary Immaculate Hospital and the NICU at Riverside Hospital for many years. She loved children, especially babies, and whenever there was a baby around, Virginia would always want to hold it. Virginia also loved to travel and over the next 20 years, she and Jim traveled to many countries. Virginia continued her medical work, taking many trips to Honduras with the United Methodist Friends of Barnabas, as well as independent trips to Africa and Cambodia.

Virginia joined Sister Cities of Newport News and traveled as an official city delegate to Japan, Germany, and China along with her husband Jim.

Virginia was a member of Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church and a member of the Wesleyan Sunday School Class, the Barbara Liddick Circle, the Knollwood Garden Club, and the Woman’s Club of Newport News.

Virginia was a very loving and caring person, leaving to cherish her memory is her true love and husband, Jim, son Jerry Bell (Amy) of Tulsa, OK, stepdaughter Lora Tabor (Mike) of Gloucester, VA, and stepson Robert Taylor of Chesapeake, VA. She is also cherished by her grandchildren Cody Bell (Amber), Jack Bell, David Taylor, Madison Taylor, Cory Tabor (Bri) and Ryan Tabor, and great-grandson Grayson Tabor. Virginia will be fondly remembered by her family and friends, including Barbara Taylor of Suffolk, VA, her cousin Brenda Tipton of Maryville, TN, and seven nieces and nephews on Jim’s side. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jess and Marie Tipton, and her brothers Bobby and David Tipton.

A memorial service will be held at Warwick Memorial Methodist Church, 38 Hoopes Road, Newport News, VA on Sunday, August 15 at 2:00 p.m. A reception at the church will follow.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to The Friends of Barnabas Foundation, P.O. Box 4804, Midlothian, VA 23112.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.