Virginia Lamb

Virginia Ella Lamb, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2019, with her daughter Pamela and dear friends by her side. She was an amazingly vibrant 96 years old. Ginnie, as she was known to all, had a favorite saying that she discovered through Paul the Apostle and recited often during her last days, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” She transitioned from this life with the knowledge that she was loved on earth and will be surrounded in glory in heaven.

Ginnie sincerely looked forward to dancing with her husband Ray again. It was her favorite pastime. She married Wallace Ray Lamb in 1943, and they were together for 51 years before his passing in 1994. They had a full life with many friends and joyful moments. She also looked forward to again embracing her two sons and daughter-in-law, who predeceased her: Ricky Lee Lamb (d. 2018), Danny Lamb (d. 1998) and Linda Lamb (d. 1999).

Ginnie was born in Lovingston, Virginia, to Eva and Kent Wills in 1922. She is survived by two sisters, Aileen Runkle and Mary Jane Wilson. She had eight siblings. Ginnie was deeply loved by her daughter, Pamela Hagan, her grandchildren Ryan Hagan, Tyler Hagan, Daniel and Cari Lamb, Justin Lamb, Jennifer Lamb, Ellen Luye, and her many great-grandchildren.

Ginnie and Ray moved to Florida in 1961 and opened Ray’s Chicken and Shrimp Restaurant, a local favorite for many years. Ginnie attended Sara Bay Baptist Church for more than 20 years and often sang in the choir. She did her best to make a positive difference in the lives of the people she knew, and there were many. Her life story is told through the love of her family, friends, and church family. With a life well-lived over 96 years, there are many people we know she’d like to hug one last time, but you know who you are and she would want you to know she genuinely cared about you.

Virginia (Ginnie) Lamb’s services will be held on January 7, 2020, at Southside Baptist Church, 2035 Magnolia Street, Sarasota, Florida, 34239. Visitation begins at 10:00 am EST and the service will commence at 11:00 am.

If you’d like, donations can be made to Sara Bay Baptist Church in Bradenton, as they are funding a new A/C system, or your local Hospice, which is a truly amazing group of people who provided exceptional comfort during her final days and nights. 

Ginnie made a lasting impression on everyone she met and was an amazing mentor, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She will be missed.