Virginia Dillard

Mrs. Ella Virginia Vines Dillard, 88 of Rosston, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior on, August 17, 2020 surrounded by her family.

She was born in Bodcaw, AR on August 29,1931 to Bessie Mitchell Vines and James Thaddeus Vines.  She had three half-brothers, Homer Vines, Howard Vines, and Merrill Huckabee. She had three half-sisters Madie Huckabee Britt, Lucille Vines Landes, and Harley Vines Rogers.

She married her high school sweet heart, Joe Douglas Dillard on the night they graduated from Bodcaw High School, on May 13, 1949.  Her parents, siblings, and husband preceded her in death as well as her father in law and mother in law, Collis and O’Deal Dillard.

In the early years of their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Dillard traveled extensively in the southern states in a camper with Mr. Dillard’s job as a construction crew superintendent.  Often, Mrs. Dillard would show off her culinary skills as she cooked for the crew.

Later in their marriage, they added a son, Steve Dillard and a daughter, Sherry Dillard to their family.  Steve preceded his mother in death in 2016.

The Dillard family joined Garrett Memorial Baptist Church in Hope, Arkansas in 1979.  She taught children in Sunday School for many years.  She loved music and enjoyed singing in quartets and trios in the community and surrounding areas.

She loved her church family and found great joy in gathering with them each week.  She was a faithful member until the Lord called her home. Although serving the Lord was her passion, she also enjoyed collecting antiques, working the election polls, and making friends everywhere she went.  She loved all brightly colored things, big jewelry, and fancy shoes, and purses.  She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Dillard, her daughter in law, Kim Dillard, as well as four grandchildren, Clark Dillard (Carly), Kathryn Dillard Pruiett (Trey), Joseph Hood (Hope), Jake Mealer (Deena); four great grandchildren, Barrett Dillard, Knox Pruiett, London Hood, and Joesiah Hood.  She leaves to cherish her memory, many special nieces and nephews, a multitude of dear friends and neighbors, and her church family that she loved dearly.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Garrett Memorial Baptist Church P.O. Box 223, Hope, AR. 71802 or The Bridge Church P.O. Box, Wynne, AR 72396

There will be a graveside service to honor Mrs. Dillard on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Rosston Cemetery with Brother Clif Johnson officiating.  The family requests that you wear a mask.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Larry Burke, Larry Butler, Ben Gresham, Todd Lauterbach, Max Light, and Ronnie Miller. Honorary pallbearers are all of the deacons from Garrett Memorial Baptist Church.