Aug 8, 1926 - May 9, 2016
Posted by Martha Reddout
Virginia Ann Reist Brickell was born in Bern, Kansas on August 8, 1926. Her parents were Ernest and Frany Reist. Virginia grew up as a hard working farm girl with her two sisters Ruth and Loretta, with whom she was very close. She was valedictorian of her high school class. Virginia received an B.S. in Biology at Kansas State University, where she met Joe F. Brickell on a blind date. They danced and fell in love. They married on August 3, 1947. Joe and Virginia moved to Sayre in 1953 with three young children. After her children were in school, Virginia became certified as a Medical Technologist and worked at the Sayre Hospital for many years.
Virginia was a devoted mother and home maker. She spent many hours reading books, playing educational games, and tutoring homework with her children. Joe and Virginia are the only couple in Sayre to have all 3 of their children become Sayre High School valedictorians. Music was a constant source of enjoyment in her house, and she passed this love on to her children. All three children participated in the Sayre band, and two of them became church organists. Virginia was an accomplished seamstress and excelled in needlepoint. Her family enjoyed all her fabulous cooking, with fond memories of homemade ice cream, meatloaf, chicken fried steak, navy beans, cranberry relish, and cookies. Virginia is fondly and lovingly remembered by her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always had cookies, books, and games ready when they came to visit.
Virginia served her church and community in so many loving ways. She shared her optimistic outlook on life, her sincere caring, her witty sense of humor, and her easy smile with everyone she met. She taught Sunday school and was an active participant in the Methodist women’s organization, WSCS. She was a den mother, hosting many cub scout activities in her home, and active in the Sayre School PTA. Joe and Virginia were head of the Sayre band boosters organization for 9 years, starting when her eldest, Barbara, was in junior high, and not stopping until after her youngest, Ernest, had graduated from high school.
Virginia is survived by daughter Barbara, a psychiatrist in Oklahoma City, son Brad, a lawyer in Norman, and son Ernest, a cryptologist in Hillsboro, Oregon; along with 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Virginia was preceded in death by her loving husband Joe of 68 years, her parents, Ernest and Frany Reist, and her sisters, Loretta Bone and Ruth Black. Virginia was well loved by her family and community and will be fondly remembered.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Sayre United Methodist Church or to the Macular Degeneration Foundation.
Funeral services will be Friday, May 13, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at the Sayre First United Methodist Church. Burial will be at the Sayre-Doxey Cemetery under the direction of Rose Chapel Funeral Service. Condolences can be made online at www.whineryfs.com.