Mary Virginia Holt Carney was born on April 24, 1929, in Camden, Arkansas, to Virnette Davison Holt and John Larkin Holt. She passed away peacefully on February 26, 2025 at the age of 95.
She enjoyed a small town childhood growing up in Camden, graduating from Camden High School and continuing her education at the University of Arkansas. She was in the Razorback Marching Band citing her claim to fame as the shortest French horn player.
After graduating from the U of A, she taught high school in Fort Smith where she reunited with JW Carney, who was her longtime sweetheart in Camden. He was the love of her life. They married August 30, 1953.
Together, Virginia and JW served their Lord and Savior wherever they were. They served as missionaries in Bangladesh for several years before returning to live in Memphis. She taught junior high algebra and math in Memphis. They moved to Newport, AR, which became her much loved home. Virginia served happily at First Baptist Church in Newport. Many children enjoyed choir, GA’s and VBS with “Mrs. Virginia”. Her joy was teaching her ladies’ Sunday school class. When she moved to assisted living in Fayetteville, her first endeavor was to establish a Bible study group.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her infant brother John Larkin and her beloved husband JW.
She is survived by her children, John Carney and wife Leslie of Cabot, Elaine Goad and husband Randy of Fayetteville, Dr. Steve Carney MD and wife Carol of Van Buren, and Dr. Chuck Carney, PhD and wife Connie of Pittsburgh, PA.
She is also survived by her greatest joys, her grandchildren- Dr. Emily Goad, PhD, John Goad, James Carney, Rebekah Carney Riba, Rob Carney, Jennifer Carney Burch, Claire Carney Slaughter and Caroline Carney. She is survived by six great grandchildren- Ethan, Elaina, Addie and Ben Riba, Theo Slaughter and Elizabeth Louise Carney.
She is also survived by her much loved “India Kids” whom she brought from Kolkata to Arkansas to attend college- Purnima Bowen, Sushmita Gallant and Samuel Baroi.
Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 3, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Newport, with interment following at Walnut Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, 9:00 a.m. until service time.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Newport, P.O. Box 219, Newport, AR 72112.
Many heartfelt thanks to the staff of Ciel Assisted Living and Willard Walker Hospice House in Fayetteville.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
