Virginia Lawrence Reid

It is with sad hearts that we announce the passing of Virginia Lawrence Reid of Bellwood, Alabama, on April 8, 2025. She passed away surrounded by her children in Asheville, North Carolina.

The beloved mother of Mitchell Lawrence Reid (Sarah Stokes), Virginia Lee Reid, and Michelle Jane Reid and grandmother of Walden Reid, Emery George Reid, Georgia Reid Miller and Eleanor Jane Miller, Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, George Mitchell Reid, and six brothers and sisters - Robert Lawrence, John Lawrence, Mary Elsie Beall, Caroline Oakes, Lex Lawrence, and Peggy Stewart.

Virginia was born in Centerville, Alabama, on August 17, 1941, to Robert and Nettie Lou (Bradley) Lawrence. Virginia graduated from Clayton High School. She then attended Huntingdon College and graduated from Auburn University. She earned a Master of Education from the University of Alabama. Virginia was a passionate educator for over 40 years. She taught high school students in the Dothan City and Geneva County school systems and adult education at Enterprise State Junior College. She was an active member at Bellwood Baptist Church where she served as music director for more than 30 years.

Virginia spent her retirement years in Bellwood and Birmingham. She served in leadership roles at Kirkwood by the River and was a treasured member of Irondale Methodist Church. She loved attending any grandchild’s soccer game, play, concert, or cheer event.

Not only was Virginia an amazing mother and grandmother, but she was also an incredible aunt to twenty-one nieces, nephews and many great nieces and nephews. Everyone who knew Virginia has been impacted by her resilience, generosity, and kindness. She was also fun; she hosted parties for her family or friends at Kirkwood by the River. Her laughter and hugs came easily. She was adventurous and always up for a trip. She loved to read, observe birds and the natural world, and worked to ensure Alabama’s teachers were respected and fairly treated. She always wanted to be useful and offered to babysit, clean, or fold laundry to the very end - she had a true servant’s heart.

Undoubtedly, Virginia’s greatest joy was knowing the Lord and walking with Him throughout her life. She kept a daily prayer journal until she could barely write. She was a moral compass for the Reid and Lawrence families. She will be remembered primarily for her faith, selflessness, and loving heart towards her friends and especially her family.  She had an exceptional amount of love to give and her life was a true example of how Christ taught us to live.

Friends and family of Virginia are invited to attend the funeral service which will be held at Bellwood Baptist Church, Bellwood, Alabama on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Nature Conservancy of AL, Bellwood Baptist Church, or Kirkwood By the River (marked for the river path and gazebo) in Birmingham AL.