Mary Virginia Darnell Shupe

March 16, 1931 - February 13, 2021

Mary Virginia Darnell Shupe, age 89, of Bristol, Tenn., passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2021 in Johnson City, Tenn. She was born on March 16, 1931 in Saltville, Va., the daughter of the late Pete Davenport and Cora Mae Totten Darnell. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Gene H. Shupe; son, Jeffrey Shupe; brother, Paul Darnell; sister-in-law, Carolyn Darnell; and very special aunt, Fanny Breedlove. Virginia grew up in Elizabethton, Tenn., where she met her sweet husband, Gene, with whom she loved to travel. They were privileged to travel across the United States attending Navy Reunions, as well as being active in their camping club, EMANON. They were also able to travel overseas several times with family. As a young woman, Virginia worked at Chambers and Williams Pharmacy in Johnson City, Tenn. While raising her two sons, she enjoyed a long career in Sarah Coventry. She was a proud member of the Holston Territory Genealogical Society (HTGS) in Bristol, Va. Virginia was also a member of the book committee for two local census books and two Family History books. She volunteered in the Voluntary Services Program at the VA Medical Center in Johnson City, Tenn. Virginia never met a stranger and had the most generous heart. Her children and grandchildren never left her home without armloads of things she had saved for them that she thought they would enjoy. Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Langley Shupe and wife Donna and their children Laura and Abbey; daughter-in-law, Diane Perdue-Shupe and her daughter Lori; brother, Early Darnell; very special friend, Pat Ruble; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home in Bristol, Tenn. A memorial service will follow at 7:00 p.m. The service may be viewed by clicking here. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the DAV Chapter #40 P.O. Box 775, Bristol, Va., 24203-0775 Arrangements especially for Ms. Shupe and her family have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory.