Virginia Josephine Percell

Virginia Josephine Percell, 80, died at The Valley Inn in Mancos on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005. The cause of death was complications from diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

She was born to Louie and Nell Albright on May 21, 1925, in Hayes, Kan.

The family moved to the Pagosa Springs area during the Dust Bowl. Mrs. Percell graduated from high school in Ogden, Utah, and then attended Fort Lewis College, where she earned her teaching degree.

Her future husband, Dayton Emery Percell, worked for the Colorado Highway Department and lived at the Cascade Highway Camp. They married in Aztec on March 1, 1947.

Mrs. Percell also taught school in Oxford. She retired from teaching after the birth of the couple's first child. For the rest of her life she was a devoted wife and mother.

Mrs. Percell enjoyed crocheting, traveling and canning. She also loved gardening.

Mrs. Percell was a longtime member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as the secretary for the Durango Old Car Club for some time.

"She wasn't just a wonderful mother, she was a great confidante," said her son Robert Percell. "I was in the military for a while, and have a ton of letters she sent. She made sure I knew that she was thinking about me."

Mrs. Percell is survived by daughters Frances Hill of Gladstone, Mo., and Debra LeBarge of Lawson, Mo.; sons Paul Percell of Pinole, Calif., Lloyd Percell of Farmington and Robert Percell of Ignacio; sister Ida Stokes of Englewood; 17 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband and granddaughter Donna D Hill.

Visitation will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Friday at Hood Mortuary. A funeral will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hood Mortuary. The Rev. Mark Webber with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bayfield Ward, will officiate. Burial will occur at Pine River Cemetery in Bayfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to Butch McClanahan Memorial Library Fund, P.O. Box 886, Ignacio, CO 81137.

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