Extracted from The Aiken Standard (Aiken, SC)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Essie Lurline Virella

Ms. Essie Lurline Virella, 81, went to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, April 27, 2009, at her residence. She had a full and wonderful life as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She was born on July 5, 1927, in Mississippi to the late Guy and Martha Savelle Hicks, and her step mother, Annie Jane Hicks. She lived in Jackson for 33 years.

She is loved by her children, Jeaneene (Errol) Virella of Jackson, Andrea (Dominick) Minolfo of Aiken, Marguarita (Harold) Nunez of New York, Aline (Lawrence) Wonoski of North Augusta, Vicki (Willie) Davis of New York, Cathy (Dennis) Hall of North Augusta and Andrew (Angela) Virella of Jackson. Her precious grandchildren are Jeaneene, David, Stacy, Tyler, Salvatore, Trina, Daniel, April, Steven, Benjamin, Lisa, Ronald, Joseph, Diana, Angela, Christina, Mindee, Alex, Drew, Rebecca, Jessica, Jonathan, Rachel, Mary and Joseph. She had 23 beautiful great-grandchildren. She is survived by her sister, Claudean Silvio of Florida; and brothers Cecil Hicks of Modoc and Pat Hicks of Jackson.

She was a wonderful Christian woman who truly lived as an example for the Lord. She was a faithful member of Cornerstone Community Church in Edgefield. She also attended the Jackson Senior Citizen's Center and loved everyone there.

The family will receive friends at George Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., S.W., Aiken on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. A service celebrating her life will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, April 30, 2009, at 11 a.m.

The pallbearers will be Jeff Porcel, Salvatore Minolfo, Danny Minolfo, Jonathan Virella, Joseph Virella and Drew Virella.

The interment will follow at Jackson Memorial Cemetery, Jackson. The family will receive family and friends at the home of Andrea Minolfo.

Memorials may be made to the Council on Aging, Aiken, or the Jackson Senior Citizens center.

Expressions of sympathy for the Virella family may be directed through georgefuneralhomes.com.