Private graveside services for Huron Wilkinson Virden, 93, of Leland will be at Greenville Cemetery on September 12, 2020. He passed away on August 22, 2020, at Shelby Health and Rehabilitation Center in Shelby, MS. Burial will be under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Leland.
Mr. Virden was born July 1, 1927, in Greenville, MS, and graduated from Greenville High School. He served in the United States Marine Corp during World War II. After his discharge, he attended the University of Alabama and later returned to work in the Virden Building Material Organization, starting in Greenville and working in Clarksdale, Anguilla, and Rolling Fork before moving to Leland in March 1953.
While working in Clarksdale, Huron married Bessie Sanders in July 1949. In service to his community, Huron was a past member of the Clarksdale Exchange Club, past member of the Leland Lions Club, and a lifetime member of the American Legion. He was also a founding member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Leland.
Huron enjoyed many outdoor sports, including hunting, fishing, swimming, and boating; he shared his love and knowledge of hunting and fishing with his sons and nephews as well. Gardening was another favorite outdoor pastime of his. He was known for his tomatoes which he shared with family and friends. Huron also loved horses and riding. His last horse Lizzy and he grew older together. When they could no longer ride, he continued to care for her daily.
Huron was preceded in death by his parents, Huron Wilkinson Virden and Sarah Adams Virden, his sisters, Martha Virden Alvarez and Sarah Hart Virden Outzen, nephew Rob Outzen, and cousin and friend Lynn Virden.
Huron is survived by his wife, Bessie Mary Sanders Virden; a daughter, Virginia Virden Montgomery (Mike) of Ocean Springs, MS; two sons, Huron Wilkinson Virden IV (Audrey) of Leland and Thomas Sanders Virden, Sr. (Gail) of Jupiter, FL, 9 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is planned for a later date at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Leland. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of choice.