Virginia Jones Obituary Lubbock artist Virginia Griffing Jones, who was born May 4, 1926, in Dallas, died Saturday, June 8, 2013, in Lubbock. A memorial service, to celebrate Virginia's life, is scheduled for 3:00 P.M., Friday, June 21, 2013 at Christ the King Cathedral, Lubbock. Virginia is survived by family members who include her husband, Kenneth; and children Berniece Donnellan of Lago Vista; Carol Jones of Santa Fe, N.M.; David Jones of Tampa, Fla.; and Mary Jones of Lubbock. Virginia was known as a partner with her daughter, Mary Jones, in the Jones VirMar Gallery, and for paintings through most of a lifetime. Jones focused on fine art as an artist. One of her tempera paintings, titled, "chilili, New Mexico," is in the Texas Tech Museum's permanent collection. She was president of the Texas Fine Art Association in the early 1970s, and president of the Lubbock Art Association from 1972 to 1975. Her final painting, completed in April, depicts a nun sitting at a table with cards and is titled "Solitare." Virginia's family remembers her as an enthusiastic supporter of education, art and music. Mary Jones received home schooling from her mother as a 5-year-old in Austin at a time when kindergarten wasn't required. "We began each morning with the Pledge of Allegiance and a Hail Mary followed by reading, writing and art classes. "When I started first grade, I was the only kid who could read, write and knew who van Gogh was." Mary also remembers, "When my two sisters and brother came home from school, and Dad came home from work, she would have a fabulous dinner on the table complete with candles and music that would fit the menu." Mary recalls that her mother often sold her paintings in Taos, N.M., on weekend trips in a Volkswagen bus. "Mother also liked to paint motorcycle riders," Mary said. "I don't know how many times she and I would get in the bus to chase bikers." They tried legitimate forgeries of classic paintings, with legalities handled by Kenneth Jones, a lawyer. Virginia Jones was also willing to try new venues for the art and entertainment worlds. She and Mary began presenting marionette shows from figures they painted. "Mother did extensive research on marionettes and stages. She and Dad came up with a plan for a rather large, yet portable stage." Mary recalls, "Mother booked shows right and left. It took us one hour to set up for a 45-minute performance." Marionette gigs included day care centers, public and private schools, churches, an air force base, the YWCA and the Camp Fire organization. When VirMar Gallery was opened in 1985, paintings by both mother and daughter were sold not only locally, but also to art collectors in other areas of the nation, Mary said. "Mother and I were proud of our gallery. No business can have perfect days every day, but all in all, we were successful." She said, "In 2006, after 21 years, we closed the doors to the gallery." That didn't affect their work as artists. They simply moved their studio to the family's home in Lubbock, and continued as before.