Helen ExumJackson , TNA celebration for the life of Helen Virginia Exum will be Friday, February 10 at 11:00 and visitation with the family on Thursday, February 9 from 6:00-8:00 at Arrington Funeral Home. Mrs. Virginia passed away February 4, 2017, at Northbrooke Nursing Home where she had been cared for with skill and compassion over the past few years. She was born on March 30, 1928, and was a lifelong Madison County resident. In June of 1945, Virginia married Jack Exum. They were faithfully and lovingly devoted to each other until his death in 1986. Mrs. Virginia and her family were active members of Pleasant Plains Baptist church in earlier years. In 1973 she, along with her husband and children, joined Englewood Baptist Church, where she remained a faithful member. In both churches she was a blessing to many as she worked diligently with mission organizations and in teaching Sunday school. She had a heart that sought God and accepted Jesus as her Savior at a young age. Throughout her life, Virginia loved and served her family, church and friends with a sincere and hospitable spirit, always having a desire to comfort and please others. She loved preparing food to share with family and friends, writing poems, encouraging those around her, and serving in her church. Her sweet and kind spirit prevailed throughout her long journey with Alzheimer's, and she remained able to share her gentle smile with everyone around her. Some of her last words she was able to communicate were, "I love you. You are so pretty." She truly meant it every time. Thankful for her love and blessed to know and love her are her children Wayne (Emily) Exum, Martha (Mike) Clanton, Helen (Paul) New; her grandchildren Stephanie (David) Taylor, Andy Exum, Lana (Tony) Hirsch, Jared (Andrea) New, Lydia New, Zada (Drew) Hopkins, and Julie Clanton; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Jerry (Deniece) Tate, extended family and friends. Her husband Jack, parents Royd and Clara Stewart Tate, sisters Frankie Croach and Margaret Burgess, great grandson Luke Hirsch, and sister-in-law Katherine Norville preceded her in death. Pallbearers serving will be Paul New, Michael Grooms, Jared New, Andy New, Sam Burns and Dennis Flynn.Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Hearn, Larry Collomp and Ivy Scarbrough.The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Common Ground Church in Sahuarita, Arizona (PO Box 1214 Sahaurita, AZ 85629 http://commongroundarizona.com), Gideons International (PO Box 173 Jackson, TN 38302), or Mission Jackson c/o Englewood Baptist Church.Welcome HomeHow sweet to hear the Savior say, "Come home, my child. It's the end of the day.Your work on earth is now complete. Come home, my child. Your Savior to meet. Receive your crown and be with me, Resting through eternity." (V. Exum-1986)