Virginia was born in Peoria, IL to William C. & Bertha (DeClark) Thomas on April 11, 1913. Early residences included Illinois, Colorado, and California until settling in Oregon in 1929. She attended grade school and some high school in California and graduated at Albany High in 1930. She married Paul S. Nelson on Dec. 6, 1930. Paul preceded her in death Feb. 23, 1970 after many years of farming in the North Albany area. Virginia was employed several years by Geo W . Bohl , M.D., then by the Albany Family Medical Clinic until retirement in 1982. She was a member of the First Methodist Church and sang in the choir for several years. She was also an early member of the Linn County Posse-ettes.

Her brother John B Thomas and sisters Elizabeth Hornibrook and Shirley Williamson preceded her in death, as well as grandson, Curtis Herrling. She is survived by son Hugh Nelson of Salem an daughter Nancy Herring of St. Helens; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and ten great-great grandchildren.

As requested, family graveside services will be held Saturday Feb. 2, 2013 at 2 pm at Willamette Memorial Park in Albany. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements ( www.aasum-dufour.com ).