Virginia Malone

Virginia Dare Malone passed from this world to her reward in Heaven on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Virginia Dare Murphey was the first of two daughters born to Conrad Elmo Murphey (1905-2000) and Virginia Dare Miles (1908-1988). Dare was born 13, June 1929, in St. Francis Hospital, Monroe, Ouachita Parish, LA. Dare's younger sister Connie Murphey Abdalla will be remembered as a Beeville student in 1945-1948. Dare started her love of music in the fifth grade when she began playing coronet in the school band. She continued in the school band throughout high school. In high school, she played tympani and glockenspiel. Dare experienced a lifetime of joy from good music starting from an early age. In September 1942, Dare entered 8th grade at Neville High school in Monroe. She believed the Neville campus and building to be as beautiful as the Taj Mahal. Many lifetime friendships were begun during the two and a half years she attended Neville. The family transferred to Beeville, TX in January 1945. As newcomers to Beeville the Murphey family immediately found the small town charming. The family united with First Baptist Church the first Sunday in Beeville. Dare soon became a regular member of the church choir. She enjoyed singing and entertaining. Dare and Connie registered for school in Beeville and found many new friends. When the war in Europe ended in 1945, the servicemen began to come home. These men would join their families at church. With her advantageous view from the choir, Dare first saw Sgt. Ira E. Malone, a decorated combat infantryman, on March 28, 1946. They began dating in October. It was a serious romance before Christmas. By March they began making plans for a June wedding. Dare and Ira married in First Baptist Church of Beeville on 14 June 1947. Their first child, Steven Douglas Malone was born in B.G. Thomas Memorial Hospital 17 March, 1948. The couple's second child, Larry Conrad Malone was born in Baptist Hospital, San Antonio on 15 November, 1950. Promotions moved the family to Shreveport, LA in 1954. As a member of First Baptist Church Shreveport, Dare was active in any program that needed help, but her true passion was her participation in all phases of the church's music programs. As Dare's children grew she stretched her wings and went back to school taking secretarial courses at Ayres Business School. Shortly after Dare completed her training, United Gas Corporation rescinded their policy against employing married women, and she took a position in the Geological Department of that company. The family then moved to Houston, TX, in 1967. With both of her sons grown and Ira still working, Dare continued her career at Arthur Anderson, Uncle Ben's Rice and retired after ten years from Daniel Industries. When Ira retired from POGO in April 1986, they together started a rewarding "career" in genealogy. This great shared love of theirs moved Dare to trace her family roots, and she was pleased to qualify to join the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was an active member, holding many offices in her home chapter, the Samuel Sorrell Chapter in Houston. In addition, she held membership in her namesake chapter, the Virginia Dare Chapter in North Carolina. Dare leaves behind her loving husband of 65 years, Ira E. Malone; her sons, Steven Douglas and his wife Theresa (Terry), Larry Conrad Malone and his wife Florence Evelyn (Evelyn); two wonderful grandsons, Nicholas (Larry) and Colin (Steve); her only sister, Connie Abdalla and her husband Abe of Houston; and an abundance of nieces, nephews and cousins. Dare was loved dearly by family and friends, and will be greatly missed. There was viewing and visitation held at Galloway and Son's Funeral Home in Beeville Texas on Friday, February 3, 2012, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Graveside services and interment followed on Saturday, February 4, at 2 p.m. in the Glenwood Cemetery in Beeville. Dare's life will also be celebrated and memorialized in Houston the following week-end. Galloway & Sons Funeral Home Read more: mySouTex.com - Virginia Dare Malone