Virginia (Jenny) Louise Marshall neé Rankin, 68 years, passed away on September 8, 2014, suffering from a heart attack of four days earlier. She was born in Wichita Falls on November 20, 1945. Her father James Leon Rankin was a multi-talented Texan who was a teacher, preacher, cow puncher, horse breaker, and oilman; and her artistic mother Lucile neé Barton a homemaker, restaurant manager, and a nurse. Virginia gained her secondary school education in various schools across Texas as her father traveled about; they eventually settled in Big Spring where she gained her high school education, graduating in 1963. From Texas Woman's University she gained a B.S. magna cum laude in 1980 and a M.Ed. with specialty in computer science in 1983. She was a Mortar Board member, Pi Sigma Alpha, 1980. She taught at Jefferson Davis School in Denton TX 1980-1985, and then Calhoun Junior High and Middle School in Denton 1986-2003, where she taught computer classes and photography. She married Dr. James L. Marshall, Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Texas, in 1998, and the pair had been active ever since as a team in the international "Rediscovery of the Chemical Elements" project covering over twenty countries which has culminated in over 60 publications, a 15-year span of American Chemical Society lecture tours, and a DVD used in classrooms across the country. Although not a chemist by training, Jenny was inducted in 2003 into Alpha Chi Sigma, national chemistry professional society, due to her amazing work in the history of the chemical elements. Jenny was also an accomplished artist and craftswoman, making beautiful jewelry, sewing lovely clothes, and knitting comfy outwear. Virginia was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma International, Iota Iota Chapter (1987), and was initiated as a proud member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in 2013.
Virginia is survived by two sons, Robert Edgar Lumpkin, 45 years, San Diego CA, and James Everett Lumpkin,40 years, Austin TX, who with Ashley Brook neé Bailey has three children Kinsley (8), Evangeline (Evie, 3), and Anderson (2); by nephews John David Harris (51) of Austin TX and Michael Raymond Harris (53); by a niece Mary Louis Taylor Buller (38) of Spring, TX; and by a sister Annie Margaret Warner (74) of Durham NC; and by her husband James (Jim) Marshall.
Full of brilliance and visionary goals, Jenny was a impressive harmony of beauty and professionalism. With a winning smile and a gracious heart, Virginia was loved by all, winning over the hearts of everyone she met. Jenny was an amazing person, always so cheerful and upbeat, and enthusiastic about everything she did. She had an adventurous spirit and was always willing to try new things. From learning how to co-pilot a private plane, to hiking the Grand Canyon, to traveling the world in the name of scientific research. Jenny met every challenge with her amazing spirit and dynamo attitude. She was quick with a joke and a laugh and made those around her feel special and loved. Her positive perspective, enthusiasm, and love of learning will always serve as a role model for others. Heaven is now graced with her wonderful spirit, and we shall miss her deeply.
The family will be at DeBerry Funeral Directors Monday evening, September 15, 2014 from 6 to 8 p.m. for visitation. A funeral service will beheld at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2014 in the Chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton.