Virginia "Ginna" (Bowen) White

Virginia Bowen (“Ginna”) White, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend passed away peacefully in Brunswick, Georgia on Friday, the 2nd of August, 2024. She was born in Augusta, Georgia on the 26th of September, 1927 to Virginia Price and John Horace Bowen. She lived in Thomson until her family moved to Valdosta and later to Albany and finally to Atlanta where she graduated from North Fulton High School. She graduated in May 1949 from the Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University with a BA in Political Science. She married her college sweetheart, Darwood W. Holm, in August 1949 on St. Simons Island where she had enjoyed many childhood memories.

Ginna and Dar raised three daughters in Atlanta until a career move took them to Peoria, Illinois where Dar sadly passed away shortly after relocating to Peoria. Ginna married William C. (Bill) White and together they raised 6 children between them. In 1971, they moved to New England. Together they restored historic buildings in Newburyport, Massachusetts and opened a restaurant, the Steak and Stein and two bookstores, The Book Rack, and The Book Rack II in addition to all their other career and volunteer activities.

In 1990, Ginna and Bill moved to Georgia and bought Snow Hill Farm on the outskirts of Thomson, Georgia where Bill farmed, raising Belted Galloway cattle and adopting ponies, donkeys, burros and goats under the watchful eye of his beloved dogs while Ginna and her dog, Shaun, restored the historic West home in Thomson, where she opened a successful bed and breakfast, The 1810 West Inn. She received recognition from the State of Georgia for her contributions to the hospitality and travel industry within the state. She entertained many friends and family members over the next 20 years until she retired to focus on her church and volunteer activities; in between, she and Bill travelled the world.

Ginna believed in service to her community and country. She was a patriot and a firm believer in our Constitution. She was always active and a leader in her children’s schools, scout troops, and in many civic organizations wherever she lived. She was a faithful member of the Episcopal church and served in many volunteer roles. She was most active in the Daughters of the American Revolution, The Captain John Wilson Chapter where she served in many capacities including regent. She was also active in the Colonial Dames XVII, The Ft. James Chapter where she also served in many capacities including President.

In 2009, Ginna and Bill moved to Brandonwilde Village in Augusta where they made many more memories and shared many friendships. They were active members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and enjoyed the church’s wonderful music program, occasionally traveling with the choir. Ginna was always interested in the decorative arts and painted regularly, at which she excelled. Ginna loved her painting classes with her wonderful teacher, Charlene, and made many friendships while improving her painting skills. She painted often until Bill’s passing in 2020. In 2021, she moved to Brunswick where she enjoyed her garden, the beach, her adopted cats and her companions who she kept busy with her energetic way of doing things.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, Dar and Bill. She is survived by her children Virginia (Betsy) Holm, Sally Hopper ( John), Nancy Smith ( Mark), Laura White, William Carr (Bill) White III (Kim) and Beth Calhoun ( Larry); her grandchildren, Rachel Bash, Sarah Gleason (Stephen), Rebecca Schneider (Dan), Virginia Edwards (Andrew), Eliza Hopper (and her fiancé, James), Austin Smith, Brycie Powell (Alan), Brittany Jensen (Steve), Katie Flint (Ryan),Will White (Jessica), Allyson Kehoe(Jaymes), Sarah Stinson(Aaron) and Andrew McNutt; and 28 great-grandchildren.

We wish to thank all those companions and friends who cared for Ginna so ably and caringly over the last several years, especially Mildred Rolland, Tony Allen, Mary and Ed O’Bryant, Sheila Smith, Alma Sullivan, the staff at the Brooks Center-Bartram and the staff of Visiting Angels in Brunswick. A special thanks to those who sat watch over Ginna as she awaited God’s calling, along with the compassionate staff of the Hospice of the Golden Isles.

The graveside service has been temporarily postponed due to the tropical storm and will be rescheduled. Immediately following, all are invited to a reception at the McDuffie Museum, 121 Main Street. A special thank you to the Museum and to the Captain John Wilson Chapter, NSDAR.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the McDuffie Museum, Thomson, Ga.; Marshes of Glynn Public Library, Brunswick, GA or to an animal rescue of one’s choice.

You may sign a guest book online at www.curtisfuneralhome.com

Curtis Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.