Notes:

Obituary:

Virginia Bell Reily Houston, stepped into Heaven at Lighthouse Retirement Home, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. She was 103.

Virginia was born on November 17, 1920, to Hermye Bell Reily and James Shelby Reily in Shreveport, LA. She attended CE College, Byrd High School and Centenary College where she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. After college she married an Air Force pilot, Earl Lafayette Houston. They were married 50 years until his passing.

"Tenny", as she was affectionately known to her friends, dearly loved parties, bridge, golf, LSU, and traveling. After Earl passed, she traveled the world making new friends everywhere she went. Her favorite place was Gulf Shores, Alabama where she spent Christmas with family every year.

Tenny was a member of First Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA for 80 years. She loved her church and never missed a Sunday school class. When she could no longer attend the class in person she listened to it on her phone. She spent her last three years in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, home of her daughter and son-in-law, where she enjoyed living at the Lighthouse, an assisted living facility.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, James Shelby Reily Jr.; and her son, Shelby Newton Houston. She is survived by her children, Earl 'Jay' Lafayette Houston, Jr, Susan Houston Carranza, son-in-law Elihu Carranza and daughter-in-law, Garen McGregor Houston; grandchildren, Joel Elihu Carranza, Gennan Michelle Lenert, Robin Shelby Dixon, Anna Pearn Houston, and Beatrice Houston. She was also blessed with 5 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all of her dedicated friends and the staff at the Oaks of Louisiana and The Lighthouse in Ocean Springs, who loved, cared for and supported her over the last few years.

A memorial service to be held at a later date in Shreveport, LA.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, West Jackson County, is proudly serving the Houston family. Share memories, condolences, and photos with his family at www.riemannfamily.com.

(Published by Riemann Family Funeral Home of Gulfport, MS)

Virginia married Earl Lafayette Houston, Sr. 8 Nov 1941, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, USA. Earl (son of Isaac Newton Houston and Cora Belle Dance) was born 6 May 1915, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, USA; died 20 Mar 1995, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, USA; was buried 22 Mar 1995, Forest Park Cemetery East - Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet]

1. E.L. Houston, Jr.
2. S.R. Houston
3. Shelby Newton Houston was born 30 Jan 1952, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, USA; died 25 Jun 2020, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, USA.