Virginia Slaughter

Virginia "Burnsie" Slaughter's remarkable 98-year life came to a natural end on October 22, 2024, surrounded by family at Essex House near her home of over fifty years in Gwynnfield, near Tappahannock. Burnsie's zest for a life of fun and friends was matched by her commitment to family, business, and community. Her memory is a blessing to countless friends and she leaves behind two children, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a small business that is an institution in Tidewater Virginia.

Burnsie was born Virginia Burns Weston on August 21, 1926, in New York City. She enjoyed a wonderful childhood in the Wesley Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC with her big sister Amy and little brother Charlie, and her parents Virginia Burns Weston and Charles Hawthorne Weston.

Burnsie graduated from Sidwell Friends School in D.C. in 1944 and then headed to William & Mary College in Williamsburg, where she earned a degree in social work. She loved her Alpha Chi Omega sorority and attended countless dances and socials. She also enjoyed the attention of the many returning World War II veterans, foremostly her future husband, Richard "Dick" Slaughter, Jr., from Hampton. They married in 1949 and spent 54 years in love until Dick's death in 2003.

Burnsie and Dick moved to Tappahannock in 1954 and started Tappahannock Furniture Store. They built a home in Gwynnfield in 1970.

Burnsie reveled in Tappahannock and Essex County civic, social, and business life for 70 years. She and Dick loved the community, supporting youth sports, the Chamber of Commerce, the Tappahannock Yacht Club, St. John's Episcopal Church, and many other organizations.

Burnsie enjoyed a successful business career as co-owner of Tappahannock Furniture Store. She filled every role, running the finances and keeping the books, designing ads and selecting appliances and furniture. She also sold furniture to people from all walks of life, providing generous credit to give thousands of families the opportunity to have a well-furnished home with modern appliances. Burnsie was proud to see her son Carl Slaughter join her in running the business after Dick's death, and then to see her grandson Jacob Slaughter assume that role after Carl's passing in 2017. She worked at Tappahannock Furniture until an injury at age 94 compelled her retirement in 2020.

She was committed to helping Tappahannock grow and thrive. Burnsie and Dick owned and ran several other businesses, including Tappahannock Marina (now June Parker Marina), an ice cream parlor, and a car lot.

Burnsie followed the "work hard/play hard" motto and lived life to the fullest, traveling the world into her 90s and spending free time on her beloved Rappahannock River with friends and family. She enjoyed all water sports and watercraft, including a cabin cruiser that she and Dick piloted throughout the Chesapeake and to New York City for the World's Fair in 1964. Burnsie water and snow skied into her 70s, jet skied into her 80s and skydived at age 80. Burnsie repeatedly competed in the Virginia Senior Olympics in ping pong and played tennis into her 90s. She cherished hosting family and friends for wine on the dock at sunset and was an avid bridge player until her last days.

Burnsie raised three boys Rick, Carl, and Jimmy and was delighted that Carl raised his family next door to her in Gwynnfield and that Rick and his wife Nan returned to Tappahannock in 2017 to help care for her, along with Carl's wife Debbie. Burnsie was grateful for many loving friends who visited and cared for her in her last months and years, including Mary Clarke, the staff of Essex House, Tappahannock Hospital, and Riverside Hospice. Burnsie supported many charities and causes and you may donate to a charity of your choice in her memory, including the Tappahannock Essex Volunteer Fire Department.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Faulkner Funeral Home, Marks-Bristow Chapel, Tappahannock, Virginia.