Virginia Dale Husted

Virginia Dale Husted, daughter of Sara Clyde (McClain) and Vernon S. Carleton died at home in the presence of her loving family on December 13th 2012. Virginia was born and raised in the small, rural community of Dadeville, Alabama. One of nine children, Virginia was a farmer’s daughter who loved the feel of the warm, rich, red Alabama earth between her toes. She carried this barefoot preference throughout her life. Virginia was invited to spend the summer of her junior year with her older sister in Richland, Washington. She was excited to make this trip as she believed it was still the wild wild West (full of Cowboys and Indians.) Virginia ended up attending her last year of high school in Richland. One day when she and her friends were driving home from high school, they glanced out the window and observed a young marine walking on the sidewalk. The girlfriends exclaimed, “That’s Earl Husted, isn’t he handsome!” Virginia turned to her friends and stated in no uncertain terms, “Girls, he’s mine.” Earl Husted and Virginia Carleton were married on July 17, 1947. In 1958, Earl accepted a position with Sav-on Drug Store. As a result, Earl and Virginia relocated to California with their three children, Karen, Kerry, and little Earl. San Diego ultimately became their home. Ten years after the birth of little Earl, Virginia and Earl welcomed a baby girl, Kelly, into their lives. Little Earl cried all night when his father informed him that he didn’t have a new little brother. One of Virginia’s favorite past times was playing the board game, Pollyanna, with her children and grandchildren. No one wanted to be the last player on the board, the loser, affectionately referred to as the cow’s tail. Over the years, Virginia and Kelly’s husband, Chris, became quite competitive. Chris had the unique ability to get Virginia’s goat. Virginia died with a smile on her face knowing she beat her nemesis son-in-law Chris in their final game which occurred days before her death. Her traditions will continue to bless each of us with memories that fill our hearts with laughter and tears and will reach out to her family of 4 children, 19 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and counting. Virginia will be buried in her native Alabama soil next to her late husband and other members of her family who predeceased her. Her services will be held at 11am on December 29, 2012, at Sardis United Methodist Church in Dadeville.

Virginia Dale Husted

December 13, 2012

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