Mary Virginia Simco

Mary Virginia Simco, 81, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus on December 1, 2018 after a brief stay in the hospital due to an unforeseen diagnosis of cancer. She was born to Glen and Sally Watson Poteet on November 9, 1937 in Memphis, Tenn. Her family lived and farmed in Steele, Mo. and Plainview, Ark. where she graduated High School. She met the love of her life, Joe Simco, on a blind date while they both were working for the Extension Service near Russellville. They married in 1959, moved to Fayetteville, Ark. and become lifelong Razorback fans. In 1962, they moved to their own farm in Tontitown where side by side they raised cattle and chickens and grew gardens and grapes. She was a devoted wife, homemaker and mother, grandmother, friend and volunteer. She was lovingly called "Ginna" by her husband, brother, and her close friends, "Mom" by her 2 daughters, "Granny" by her 5 grandchildren and "GiGi" by her 5 great grandchildren. Virginia was an anchor of faith for her family and had a profound influence on each person she met. Virginia loved and served her family, as well as others and she said "I love you" often with her words and quality time. She was hospitable and welcomed many into her home. She loved meeting and loving on all the friends of her daughters and grandchildren who would quickly start calling her ‘Granny' too. She cooked many great meals, baked many loaves of bread, creatively sewed all her daughters' clothes including their wedding dresses, and she knitted and crocheted many gifts. She was an avid reader and on her side table there were always a book, the daily newspaper, a crossword puzzle, her Guideposts, Upper Room Devotion, and her Sunday School Lesson. She made many phone calls to encourage others and sent out prayer-chain emails for the Harmon United Methodist Church where she was a member for 57 years. She gladly used her time and talents to do ‘whatever' was needed at church-she taught Sunday School, played the piano, went on mission trips and was involved in the Food Pantry there. She was active in the Harmony Homemakers Extension Club and lead 4-H groups for many years. She and Joe spent many hours river fishing and were able to travel together during their retirement years. She went to almost every school and sport event and extracurricular activity in support of her daughters and grandkids. She loved to help take care of her great grandchildren by reading them books, playing pretend, going on nature walks, making milkshakes and eating cutie oranges, corndogs or leftovers together. She made daily trips ‘across the yard' to Donna's house for family dinners and to ‘check on' the greatgrands where she made sure they did their ‘tradition' of kissing each other goodbye through the glass door. Her motto was ‘just write me a message in my dust' because she would rather be spending time with Jesus and her family and friends than doing any more housework than was absolutely necessary. Every memory made is cherished. We know we will see her again in Heaven so our tears are only shed because she will be greatly missed here on earth. Virginia is survived by her husband, Joe of the home; brother, Robert Poteet of Tulsa, Okla., daughters, Donna Pianalto and her husband Vernon and Debbie Gibson and her husband Larry of Springdale; grandchildren, Jonathon and Sara, Anthony and Elizabeth and Jeremy and Tera Pianalto and Chase and Jordan Gibson; and five great-grandchildren, Emalena, Norah, Elsie, Ian and Addison. The drop-in Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 and her Celebration of Life Service will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 5, both at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in her memory to the Arkansas Children's Hospital of NWA, the Harmon Methodist Church or your favorite charity or ministry. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.