Virginia Ann Fowlks' Obituary
Today we celebrate Virginia Ann Elizabeth Fowlks who lived a joyful and faithful life. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, cousin and niece; Virginia was a true reflection of God’s Grace. Virginia and her twin Garland were born on November 12, 1933 in Spur, Texas, the oldest of six children of Virgil and Sedalia Swoopes. They joined their older brothers Robert and Virgil Ray from Virgil’s previous marriage.
Virginia spent her childhood in rural Spur, TX. As a child, one of her responsibilities was to accompany her younger siblings to the outhouse late at night, which she detested as it was often dark and cold. She would take a lantern or burn a torch to light their way. One evening her torch “accidently” set fire to the family cow. This resulted in a couple significant events in her young life. Virginia was no longer responsible for chaperoning evening trips to the outhouse and her family became the first black family in town to install indoor plumbing.
When she was sixteen, her family moved to Amarillo to take advantage of the better educational opportunities for the children. She graduated at the top of her class from Burnett High School in 1952 and subsequently matriculated and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business at Prairie View A&M in 1956. Prairie View is also where she met her husband, Essex Fowlks IV in what can only be described as a classic Dining Hall pick up. Essex first spotted Virginia in the Dining Center on the day her mother dropped her off for her freshman year. She sat there homesick and crying. He said she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He couldn’t help himself and walked over to meet and comfort her. She was smitten and the result was 66 years of wedded bliss.
Virginia and Essex began married life on May 16, 1955 in Texas. In 1960 they left Texas for California. It was at that time they joined with the Allen Chapel AME family where over the years she was a member of the Usher Board, Choir and Missionary Society. Virginia and Essex lived in Sacramento for 58 years where she was an active volunteer in her children’s schools, scout troops and a leader in various community philanthropies.
Virginia was a scholar, teacher and volunteer. Her passion for education led her to teach first grade and reading as a specialty for over 35 years in the Robla School District in Sacramento. She taught long enough to teach the children of some of her earlier students.
Virginia loved, enjoyed and was devoted to her family. She and Essex were the proud parents of three boys, Essex V, Larry, Roland, and one girl, Sonja. At family gatherings you could always find her in the kitchen with Harry Belafonte, Mahalia Jackson, Diana Ross and Brooke Benton singing; creating her delicacies including fried chicken, caramel cake, lemon and chocolate meringue pies and her world-famous dinner rolls. Her grandkids enjoyed their time with Grandma Ginny which almost always culminated in a trip to In-N-Out Burger.
Virginia was an amazing presence wherever she went. Always elegantly dressed to the nines with a great sense of humor whether accompanying her family to a formal affair or sitting around the house watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy while sewing or working her crossword puzzles. She engaged her sense of humor and treated her family and extended family to great stories and advice (solicited or not) which we grew to appreciate, love and treasure.
Virginia’s memory will be cherished by her family, her sister Marva Murphy of Amarillo, TX and Uncle Willie Chattam of Dallas, TX, and a host of other relatives and friends. Christ said: “All that the Father gives me, will come to me and those that come to me I will embrace.” Virginia’s legacy is one of taking God’s gifts to her and making them available to others. She will be fondly remembered for her ever-present smile, her outspoken yet understanding nature, her sharp wit, along with her accessible presence and unfailing support that was always available to anyone in need.
Virginia departed this life peacefully in her sleep on January 9, 2019 in Sacramento, California. She leaves to cherish her memory: Her husband of 66 years and the love of her life, Essex IV. An amazing mother and grandmother, Virginia is also survived by her four children and their families: Essex V and Anne Fowlks of Boxborough, Massachusetts; Larry and Jan Fowlks of Sacramento, California; Sonja and Steven McIntosh of Portland, Oregon; Roland and Christina Fowlks of Fremont, California. She had nine grandchildren: Wesley Fowlks, Kirsten Fowlks, Cedric Fowlks, Morgan Fowlks, Julian McIntosh, Kendall McIntosh, Melissa Fowlks, Esther Fowlks and Nicholas Fowlks. Virginia was blessed with two Great Grandchildren, Essex VI and Ryan Patrick Fowlks, as well as a host of loving family and friends.
Visitation is Sunday, January 20, 2019 from 3pm to 6pm at Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes, 4701 Marysville Blvd. Sacramento, CA.
A funeral service celebrating her life will be held on Monday, January 21, 2019, at 11am at Allen Chapel AME Church, 1239 Grand Ave, Sacramento, CA.
Interment will be at the Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes.
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