Virginia Reynolds Lites, of the Ain Community, was born July 5, 1931, at Grapevine, the daughter of the late Cecil “Bo” Reynolds and Bernice Hamilton Reynolds.

Virginia had an unwavering love for her Lord and Savior and was a loyal and active member of Ain Missionary Baptist Church. She faithfully served as church clerk from 1967 until 2025. She previously worked at Rockwell Manufacturing and also served from 1981-2017 as secretary/treasurer of the Grapevine Volunteer Fire Department. In the days when many rural communities had little or no fire protection, Virginia was instrumental in helping make sure her community did.

Virginia was truly one of a kind. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. When she laughed, she laughed with her whole heart, and it was absolutely infectious. Although she was a good Baptist, she wasn’t satisfied with looking plain or conservative. She loved bright colors and always had the perfect outfit and matching shoes ready for whatever occasion came along.

In fact, one of her favorite words was simply, “GO!”, and go she did, for as long as she was able.

If there was ever anyone who genuinely loved her family and found her greatest joy in seeing them happy, it was Virginia. She and J.B. were truly the dynamic duo. They didn’t just love each other—they genuinely liked each other. Spending time with them required a learned skill because they often carried on two completely different conversations with you at the very same time, and you simply had to do your best to keep up with both.

J.B.‘s death was an incredibly difficult blow, and then, all too soon, Ben was gone as well. Yet, to no one’s surprise, Virginia refused to let heartache steal her joy. She knew their separation was only temporary and that one day the reunion would be forever.

Mrs. Lites died Friday, July 10, 2026, at her beautiful house on the hill, surrounded by those she loved, just five days after celebrating her 95th birthday.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her best friend and husband, J.B. Lites. At the time of his death, they had been married for 61 years. She was also preceded in death by her son, Ben Lites; her brother, Ralph Reynolds; and her sisters, Linda Sue Reynolds, Kitsey Purdle, and Georgia Dell Ferguson.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Renee and Gary Don Hix; her daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Lites; her sister, Mary Jo Wilson; her grandchildren, Lacey Hix Murray and husband Scottie, Jodie Lites Young and husband Mike and their children, Will and Kate, and Dee Ann Lites Huffman and husband Ben and their children, Olivia Huffman Beene,her husband Creed, and Emily Huffman. She is also survived by her cherished friend and caregiver, Debbie Mitchell.

She leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who lovingly called her “Gin,” many other extended family members, countless friends, her Ain Missionary Baptist Church family, and, of course, her faithful dog, Coco.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Michael Walton, Bro. David Hiblong, Bro. Robert Ewing, and Bro. Gary Copeland participating.

We promise the service won’t be as long as you might be thinking with four ministers. Virginia would want us to assure you that we don’t believe it’s going to take four preachers to convince them to let her through the gates. We simply believe she lived a life worth honoring, celebrating, and remembering.

Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Due to the extreme heat and the family’s concern for those attending, services will conclude in the chapel, and only the family will proceed to the cemetery for a brief committal service.

Memorials may be made to the Ain Cemetery Association.

Virginia always loved to hear Renee sing “Have a Safe Journey Home.” Today, we celebrate the fact that she has safely arrived. Her journey is complete.