Obituary of Virginia Trigg Ellington

Virginia Trigg Ellington, mother, aunt and friend died on Monday, March 3rd in Chapel Hill. She was 86. A force to be reckoned with to the end she died peacefully. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband J.P. Ellington, Jr. in 1987 Virginia was born in Lakewood, Ohio on May 5 1927 to Frances Warr Trigg and Harry E. Trigg. Her family moved to Wilmington North Carolina where she graduated from New Hanover High School. In 1950 she graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from Elon College. Virginia was married in 1950 to Fred Hawkins and moved to Chapel Hill in 1957. In her early years she devoted time as a founding family of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, was active in the Orange County Republican Party and was two term president of the Chapel Hill Women's Pharmacy Auxiliary. She worked as an administrative assistant in the department of OB GYN at North Carolina Memorial Hospital. She was particularly proud of the work she did in forming the Robert A. Ross Society. She formed many long lasting friendships among the members of the Society as well as a later splinter group know as "The RARE Group". She married J.P. Ellington, Jr. in 1967 and in 1973 moved to Lubbock, Texas where she worked in Human Resources for the Lubbock County Hospital District associated with Texas Tech University . She spent ten years in Texas and moved back to Chapel Hill where she devoted many tireless hours working for the Orange County Animal Shelter and later served as a member of the board of directors, serving as secretary and vice chairperson. Virginia was a passionate advocate for animals particularly those who have no homes. She was the voice of homeless pets for many years and educated many about their plight. Her love of and way with taming stray cats will not likely be duplicated. Virginia's indomitable spirit and strength will be missed by many. Virginia is survived by her three children: Phillip E. Hawkins of Fresno California; Karen Hawkins Gillette of Cutchogue, NY; Brian S. Hawkins of Kerrville, Texas and two step children, Bari Ellington of Chico Texas and Beth Ellington Saunders of Greensboro. She is also survived by her beloved niece, Alice and her husband Richard Wright of Chapel Hill. A service will be held at Walker's Funeral Home 120 West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill on Friday, March 7, at 4:00 PM. The family will receive visitors at 3:00 PM. A private burial will take place at St. David's Cemetery in Cheraw, South Carolina on Saturday, March, 8. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Orange County Animal Shelter or Hospice of Wake County.