Editor’s Note: An updated version of Loretta Fulton’s biography, “Virginia Connally, M.D.: Trailblazing Physician, Woman of Faith” is available at Texas Star Trading Company, 174 Cypress St. or by contacting Fulton at 325-669-9006 or lorettafulton47@gmail.com By LORETTA FULTON As soon as word spread that Virginia Connally, Abilene’s first female physician, had died March 31, messages of condolence and recollections of
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Abilene’s most famous, and possibly most revered citizen, Dr. Virginia Connally, turns 106 on Tuesday, Dec. 4. Connally was moved in October to a facility near Waco but remains in Abilene in spirit. Her many friends and admirers in Abilene wish her a great big “Happy Birthday!” Connally, a 1933 graduate of then Simmons University, was born Dec. 4, 1912, in
Read more“Dr. Virginia (Boyd) Connally” Lyrics by Carolyn Newman sung to “Thanks for the Memories” (With apologies to Bob Hope) Thanks for the Memories In 1912, you were born, On a fourth of December morn, Ada Virginia Hawkins, a Temple, Texas, newborn. We thank God so much! Thanks for the Memories In 1912 the news was gigantic About the sinking Titanic,
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By LORETTA FULTON At 105, Virginia Connally’s still got it–wit, intellect, grace, elegance. Connally, Abilene’s first female physician, added another first to her lengthy list of firsts Sept. 6. when she was honored as the inaugural recipient of the James B. Simmons Award given by Hardin-Simmons University. The dinner was all class–starting with Connally and family members arriving at the
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Thursday, Sept. 6, will be a big day at Hardin-Simmons University as new students are officially welcomed at fall convocation in the morning and the university’s oldest living graduate is honored that night. Fall convocation will begin at 9 a.m. in Behrens Auditorium. Guest speaker will be Michael Evans, Sr., pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Chgurch in Mansfield and president of
Read moreDr. Virginia, a Hardin-Simmons University graduate and Abilene’s first female physician, is welcomed to an HSU physical therapy class by left to right, Allison Ball, Kelli Baker, Virginia, Laura O’Beirne, and Dani Kline. The students heard from Connally on June 1, 2017, prior to departing for a medical mission trip to Peru in July 2017. They heard Dr. Connally’s stories
Read moreBy Loretta Fulton “And we hope you have many more.” That toast to Dr. Virginia Connally, Abilene’s first female physician, ended a special celebration Dec. 4 of her 105th birthday. Connally’s daughter, Genna, who lives in Waco, joined friends in Abilene for the celebration. A special gift to Connally from her alma mater, Hardin-Simmons University, was the Jesse C. Fletcher Award
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Spirit Of Abilene 