Virginia Hatfield Obituary

Virginia Louise Reed Hatfield passed away in her sleep in El Paso, Texas on August 16, 2015.

She was born in Waco on March 23, 1920 to O.D. and Charlotte Reed. Her father suffered from tuberculosis and for much of her youth, Virginia and her brother O.D. Reed Jr. were separated. She lived with her Aunt in Dallas, Texas while he lived with other relatives until entering the Episcopal Seminary. Virginia returned home and graduated from Austin High School in El Paso in 1937.

She was briefly married and had her first son, Bob, in 1938.

Her father's TB was arrested and he was offered a job as the caretaker of the Granite Peaks Ranch above Vallecito Lake. He moved to Colorado in 1943.

Virginia and Bob soon followed and she went to work as a secretary for the Turner Industrial Bank where she met the bank's attorney, E.E. (Tommy) Hatfield.

After a short courtship, the couple married before Hatfield left for active duty in the Pacific. In 1947, their second son, Jim, was born.

Her husband, Tommy Hatfield died in 1970 and in 1972 Virginia returned to El Paso where she married long time family friend, Robert Oliver. Oliver died in 1974 and Virginia remained in El Paso. She was preceded in death by her brother, the Reverend O. Dudley Reed Jr.

She was an active member of Saint Mark's Episcopal Church, Tuesday Literary Club, played duplicate bridge and was an avid gardener at the family home on Third Avenue.

She is survived by her sons, James E. and Robert D. and daughters-in-law Shelley Hatfield of Winter Park, Florida and Judy Hatfield of Dallas, Texas, three grandchildren, Berry, Reed and Bryan, three great-granddaughters; Pamela Claire, Judith Cate, and Virginia Reed and numerous nephews and nieces.

Virginia well be remembered as a kind, loving and selfless person who always put herself aside to ask and care about others. She was a devoted mother and wife and a person who could be counted on as a true friend in good times and bad. She brought out the best in people.

A memorial service will be held at the St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Saturday, September 26 at 9 a.m., graveside services to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Envision Hospice, 8929 Viscount, El Paso, Texas 79925