Virginia Mae Rhodes Byrum, 84, of Suffolk, passed away July 17, 2016.

She was born April 25, 1932, in Nansemond County to the late Edward Curtis Rhodes and Minnie Spivey Rhodes. Having lived mostly in the Windsor, Walters and Colosse areas, the family then moved to Como, N.C., where she then graduated from Murfreesboro High School in May 1950.

She worked for the Farmers Incorporated Manufacturing Co. in Suffolk for several years, before her marriage to John A. Byrum of Suffolk. Later she worked at the original Louise Obici Memorial Hospital until she retired. She was the first secretary in the intensive care unit.

Virginia was a member of Magnolia United Methodist Church. In her early years, she taught in the children’s department. She also served as treasurer and financial secretary.

Virginia was predeceased by two brothers, Robert Earl Rhodes and Walter Richard Rhodes.

Virginia is survived by her husband of 63 years, John Alden Byrum Sr. Also left to cherish her memory are her children, including sons, John Alden Byrum Jr. and his wife, Cindy, F. Keith Byrum and Sharon, and Virginia “Ginny” Byrum Fly and husband, George; grandchildren, Robert Alden Fly, William Newton Fly, Melinda Ault (Andrew), Molly Rogers (Kenny) and Thomas Onoff (Jennifer); great-grandchildren, Catherine, Madelyn, Zachary, Madison, Erica, Trever, Brandon and Matthew; brothers, William Rhodes and wife Margaret, James Rhodes and wife, Bettie, and Shirley Rhodes; sisters-in-law, Maggie Rhodes and Annie Mae Rhodes; extended family, Jane Burgold and the late Stephen Burgold; former daughter-in-law, Katie Byrum; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the team of Interim Health Care Hospice: Brenda Cobb, Becky Case, Taylor, Bonnie, Lisa and Michelle; and Home Sweet Home Care. The family would also like to thank her doctors, Joseph Verdirame, David Eich, Jeff Forman, G. Wilkins Hubbard, Jack Seigal and Christopher Walshe.

A funeral will be held Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk, VA 23434, with the Rev. Mike Harrington officiating. Burial will follow at Meadowbrook Memorial Garden. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.