Monday, January 2, 2023

Mary Virginia Baswell Arnett

Mary Virginia Baswell Arnett, 96, passed away surrounded by her family on Monday, January 2, 2023, at Winston Medical Center in Louisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, January 5 at Poplar Flat Baptist Church in Louisville, Mississippi, with Bro. Mike Childs and Bro. Doug Wise officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment will immediately follow the service in Poplar Flat Cemetery.

Virginia was born January 30, 1926, to John and Willie McGinnis Baswell in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. She was a lifelong member of Poplar Flat Baptist Church where she faithfully served as a Sunday school teacher. Ms. Virginia also enjoyed singing in the choir and was busy doing whatever else needed to be done around the church. For example, days before the annual Memorial service at Poplar Flat, she would “busy around” getting her food and the church prepared for the service. She read her Bible through numerous times and because she lived by what it taught; she was a positive influence and a great role model for everyone. Virginia loved children especially her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her great-great-granddaughter.

Virginia is survived by her children: Brenda Arnett Sinclair, Linda Arnett Taylor and husband, Dennis; Terry Arnett; and Kevin Arnett and wife, Debbie, all of Louisville. One of her greatest joys was being “Mawmaw” to her seven grandchildren: Scarlet Sinclair (Clay) Bane, Andrew (Sarah) Arnett, Matthew (Nikki) Arnett, Stephen (Jade) Arnett, Amanda Arnett, John Phillip (Kylie) Arnett, and Madelon (Jonathan) Flippo; her eight great-grandchildren: Ashlee (Drew) Cravens, Will Bane, Andy Arnett, Avery Arnett, Johnson Arnett, Magnolia Arnett, Willow Arnett, and Reese Arnett; and one great-great-granddaughter, Laney Clayre Cravens; as well as a host of loving nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Terrell Lee Arnett, Sr.; her son-in-law, Ralph Sinclair; her parents; and six brothers: J. W., Junior, Fritz, Billy, Elmo and Joe Baswell.

Serving as pallbearers are Andrew Arnett, Matthew Arnett, Stephen Arnett, John Phillip Arnett, Will Bane, Clay Bane, and Jonathan Flippo. 

Memorials in honor of Ms. Virginia may be given to Poplar Flat Cemetery Fund, P. O. Box 684, Louisville, MS 39339; Winston-Choctaw Gideon Camp, P. O. Box 556, Louisville, MS 39339; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at stjude.org/donate.

Services are under the direction of Nowell Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.