Dr. Virginia Taylor Jolly of Denton, Texas passed away at the age of 81 due to complications of heart disease and heart failure.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 2:00 pm at DeBerry Funeral Directors on University Drive in Denton, Texas.

Visitation for the family and friends will be held on Wednesday night, January 30, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 pm at DeBerry Funeral Directors.

Virginia was born in Tyler, Texas on May 29, 1931. She married her husband Leo Milton Jolly on March 10, 1950. They were happily married for 43 years until his passing. She was preceded in death by her parents, Otis and Lottie Taylor, and one brother, Quentin Taylor, and one sister, Maurine Baird.

Survivors are her sisters, Geneva Lehnis of Balch Springs, Texas; Grace Rains of Longview, Texas; Patsy Ezelle of Canton, Texas; and Dorothy Campbell of Dallas, Texas; and one brother Calvin Taylor of Canton, Texas; two daughters and their spouses, Sharon and Danny Lauterbach of Denton, Texas; Cynthia and Raymond Howell of Swansboro, North Carolina; seven grandchildren: Sheila, Senora, Brian, Virginia Lynn, Matthew, Mitchell, and Shawn; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

Virginia was highly educated and devoted her life to the education of others. She received her undergraduate degree from Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas; her Masters degree in Education at East Texas State University; and her PhD in Psychology at Colorado University in Boulder, Colorado.

Virginia was a respected, tenured professor at Texas Woman's University, as well as, the first female chairperson of the Department of Psychology. She was beloved by her students and colleagues alike.

Virginia conducted therapy in her private practice, specializing in child and family therapy. She worked tirelessly to help families in need, often pro bono if the need arose.

She served as the Psychological Consultant for the Wise County School District, working with teachers and children with difficulties.

Virginia was best known for her compassionate, generous, and caring nature. She was also highly respected as a leader, mentor, and role model for others.

She enjoyed challenges and achieving multiple lofty goals; such as becoming a computer whiz and learning the piano in her later years. Virginia enjoyed games, computer activity, and tackling new technology. Her wit and knowledge made her a pleasure to be with.

She was a caring, generous, and devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and daughter.

Virginia's strength of character, kind spirit, and devotion to her family will truly be missed.