Virginia Guess

Virginia Townsend Guess

Feb. 12, 1933 – March 21, 2021

Leslie Virginia Townsend Guess peacefully joined her family in her eternal home on Sunday, March 21. “Gina” was a passionate educator and musician and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Gina spent her life in the classroom teaching English, Speech and Theatre, and Reading.  She had always felt called to ministry, and teaching became that ministry.  “Mrs. Guess” touched the lives of many students – including the second generation in some families.  Her love of teaching extended into her retirement years, and she worked as a substitute teacher all around the Salado area for several of years.

Outside of her teaching career, Gina served as a church pianist all her adult life. Her husband James’ job as a coach took them to many communities over the years, and the two of them found a place to minister in every church they joined, James as music minister and Gina as the accompanist on whatever instrument was needed – piano, organ or keyboard.

Family was of the greatest importance to Gina, and she rarely missed a game that James coached, always taking her children along.  Until her health began to fail, she attended almost every performance and activity in which her children, grandchildren, and great grandson were involved.

Gina was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Thelma Townsend; her husband, James Guess; and many family members who met her at The Gate for a long-awaited reunion. She is survived by her daughter, Cyndi Felts and husband Tim of San Antonio; son, David Guess and wife Rebecca of Waco; brothers, Bruce Townsend and wife Ellen of Salado and Weldon Townsend and wife Shirley of Round Rock; grandchildren, Braden and Natalie Guess and Megan Felts Gill (Chris); and great grandchild Everett Finley Gill, who was the pride and joy of her final years. Her life was also blessed by a multitude of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who enriched her life to the end.

Visitation will be held at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton on Wednesday, March 24 from 5-7 p.m., and there will be a Service of Celebration at First Baptist Church of Salado on Thursday, March 25 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers gifts can be made to the Guess/Townsend Memorial Scholarship at The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor ( www.umhb.edu/giving ). Please mention the Guess/Townsend Endowed Scholarship in the comments section.