Virginia Wallace Carlton, age 102, of Sulphur, La., passed away peacefully, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in the comfort of her home.  A native of Mobile, Ala., Virginia attended Louisiana State University at the age of 16, where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. Later she did her graduate work at McNeese State University where she received a Masters of Education, Plus 30.

Virginia was a retired teacher having taught in New Orleans and at Maplewood Elementary School in Sulphur.  She was an active member of Maplewood First Baptist Church where she taught the “Believers” Sunday school class. Virginia belonged to the Calcasieu Parish and Louisiana Retired Teachers Association.  She was also a member of P.E.O.—a philanthropic organization that celebrates, motivates, and helps educate women.

In her leisure time, she enjoyed playing bridge, baking, and reading all genres of literature. She was also fond of books of politics and belonged to the Republican Women of Southwest Louisiana.

Virginia loved her family and instilled in them a strong set of values.  Her smile was beautiful and she had a wonderful sense of humor that will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband’s Colonel Jack Wallace Jr. and George Carlton; and sister, Frances “Dolly” Ladner.  Those left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Kay (Wendell) Stephens; and her granddaughters, Julie (Brad) Ragusa of Golden, Colo. and Jackie (Stuart) Hartman of Plaquemine, La.; two step-granddaughters, Celeste (Curtiss) Lindsay and Kandis Smith of Lake Charles, La.; eight great-grandchildren,  Gabriella and Miles Ragusa, Hilton and Reed Hartman, Zyler Guidry, Zadyn and Zaley Smith, and Ridley Lindsay.  Virginia is also survived by her brother, Walter B. Staggs and wife Ginny of Mobile, Ala.

A Celebration of Life service will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13 at Hixon-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home, officiated by The Rev. Jeremy Blocker.  The graveside ceremony will be on Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday and 11 a.m. until the graveside ceremony on Tuesday.

The family would like to sincerely thank the many caregivers who cared for Virginia through the years, with a special thank you to Janet Gautreaux, Darilyn Chester, Debbie Potts, Tina Hoffpauir, and the staff of Brighton Bridge Hospice.  Memorial contributions may be made to Maplewood First Baptist Church or a charity of choice.  Words of comfort may be expressed to the family at www.hixsonsulphurmemorial.com.