Virginia Ann Tinsley

Virginia Tinsley passed away October 30, 2017, at her home with her husband and daughter by her side. She was born on June 13, 1942 in Madisonville to Johnnie Clotee & Hazel Virginia (Dean) Sanders. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jimmy Milos Sanders.

Virginia spent her whole life in Madison County. On March 13, 1959, she married Harry Winston Tinsley, and they were together until her death. Early in their marriage Virginia helped manage her husband’s Texaco Station and did the bookkeeping. Later she raised her two children, plus, helped her husband manage a ranch that included 250 head of cattle. She did everything on the ranch including putting out hay, driving the tractor, roping, and hauling cattle to the auction. She loved animals, and her pets included: horses, dogs, cats, racoons, deer and a fox. Virginia was very involved in her children’s activities and went to all of their sporting events. While her children were growing up her house was always full of all the neighborhood children, and she would take them to Pooh’s Park in Bryan to go skating.

Virginia started her postal career in 1976 and worked at various post offices. She was a postmaster in Iola from 1982 until she retired in 2002, during which time she won numerous awards.

In 1990, she began raising her granddaughter, Madison, along with her husband, who they later legally adopted. She loved her family and friends very much and she would do anything in her power for them. Virginia’s numerous hobbies included hunting, fishing, painting, quilting, photography and swimming.

Virginia’s surviving family members include husband, Winston Tinsley of Madisonville; sons, Joe Tinsley of Madisonville and Lamar Tinsley (Sheri) of Madisonville; daughter, Madison Tinsley of Madisonville and brothers, Johnny Sanders of Huntsville and Herman Sanders of Madisonville. She is also survived by grandchildren, Morgan Clark (Matt) of Madisonville and Joe Tinsley, Jr. of Lovelady and great grandchildren, Layla Clark, John Winston Clark, Brodi Kirker and Ty Tinsley.

Funeral services for Virginia Tinsley are scheduled for 11 A.M., Friday, November 3, 2017 at the Madisonville Funeral Home in Madisonville, Texas. Rev. Hiriam Jones will officiate the service. Interment will follow in the Madisonville Cemetery. A public visitation will take place Thursday, November 2nd from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers: Mark Tinsley, Russell Tinsley, Jim Tinsley, Herman Sanders, Kevin Shaver and Bob Colwell.

Madisonville Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.