HSU mourns the loss of Dr. Virginia Connally

(ABILENE, Tex.)–Hardin-Simmons University is sad to announce the passing of one of our most well-known and well-loved alumna, Dr. Virginia Connally. She was 106 years old.

A memorial service for Dr. Connally will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 13, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church.  Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 Friday, April 12, at Hamil Family Funeral Home. HSU will honor the memory of Dr. Connally during University Chapel on Tuesday, April 2 at 9:30 a.m. and the service will be both live streamed and recorded for later viewing on Hardin-Simmons University’s YouTube page.

Born Ada Virginia Hawkins in Temple, Texas on December 4, 1912, Dr. Virginia Connally spent a lifetime turning obstacles into opportunities; opportunities into successes; and in turn, sharing her blessings with those around her.

Upon graduation from Temple High School in 1929, amidst the turmoil of the Great Depression, Virginia enrolled in Temple Junior College and studied there one year. Through the influence of her uncle and aunt, the late Dr. and Mrs. W.R. Snow of Abilene, she transferred to Simmons University in 1930 and graduated in 1933 with a bachelor of arts degree. During these years, she was active in student affairs, was a member of the Cowgirls and was their president her senior year. She also served as Secretary of the Student Association.

Dr. Virginia Connally in 1936

At a time when pursuing a career in the medical profession for women was almost unheard of, Virginia courageously, and with a heart determined to serve people with the gifts God had given her, set out to pursue a career in medicine. Despite discouragement from many fronts, she entered Louisiana State University Medical School in 1933 and graduated in 1937 with the M.D. degree. She was awarded an internship and residency in the field of eye, ear, nose, and throat at Charity Hospital in New Orleans from 1937 to 1940. Upon completing this residency, she returned to Abilene as its first woman physician and began her medical practice as an Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist. Here, through her ability, professional skill and training, her understanding heart, and a healing touch, she was soon recognized in West Texas as one of the leading physicians in her field.

Dr. Connally served as chief of staff at both St. Ann’s Hospital and Hendrick Medical Center, and upon the death of her husband Ed Connally in 1975, she became president of Connally Oil Company. She was also the physician for Hendrick Home for Children for many years, touching the lives of countless numbers of children.

In 1982, she closed her medical practice after 42 years but did not retire. In 1984, she became the Medical Director and Senior Vice President of HSU’s Fairleigh Dickenson Science Research Center until its closing in 1989.

With her husband Ed, who was an oilman and former state Democratic Executive Committee Chairman, she traveled widely, using the trips abroad to visit missionaries and study their work. Despite the glamour and glitz of international oil and political travel, Virginia said the highlights of those trips were the visits with missionaries, getting to know them and their exciting and challenging work. She traveled to such places as Russia, China, and Israel, and spent time as a medical missionary in Venezuela.

In 1973 she received HSU’s Distinguished Alumna Award, in 1981 received the Keeter Alumni Service Award, and in 1989 received an Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree. Also in 1989, she humbly declined the nomination for Philanthropist of the Year in Abilene, saying that there were others more deserving who had not been recognized. Although not recognized formally, she remained eternally philanthropist of the year in the hearts of those at HSU, not only because she gave of her financial resources, but because she also gave of her love and understanding, compassion and friendship. These are worth much more than dollars.

Dr. Connally receiving the Simmons Award from President Eric Bruntmyer in the fall of 2018.

She was a loyal supporter of HSU over the years, establishing the Connally Endowed Professorship of Missions in 1981, and upgrading the program to a Chair in 1988. Virginia provided the lead gift in the establishment of the Connally Missions Center, which was dedicated in 2000. In 2004 she was inducted into HSU’s Hall of Leaders. And in 2018 Hardin-Simmons honored her with the first ever James B. Simmons Award for the amazing role model she has been and the way she always broke down barriers in her life and career. She also contributed to the growth of Hardin-Simmons by actively recruiting students to the university.

Her late husband was a longtime trustee of HSU until his death in 1975. She became an HSU trustee in 1977, serving until 1987, and then became a member of the Board of Development in 1988. She was also a charter member of the Presidents Club.

She was active in Abilene Woman’s Club, Hospice of Abilene, Pastoral Care and Counseling, Hendrick Foundation Board, the YWCA, Junior League of Abilene, Abilene Preservation League, Abilene Philharmonic, and Big Country Audubon. She served as a member of the National Board of the Medical School of Pennsylvania, originally established as the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1850, as the first school in the nation for women physicians. She was an active member of Abilene’s First Baptist Church since 1933 and was one of its first female deacons.

She was described as a soft-spoken woman who drew people to her, making their interests her own and inspiring confidence in others. She was noted for her unquenchable thirst for knowledge and her love of reading. Everyone who knew her received copies of magazine, journal, and newspaper articles from her. She not only read a lot, but she also made sure other people had the opportunity.

Forever young at heart, at her 90th birthday celebration in 2002, Virginia quipped, “I thought when I got to be 90, I would be old. Now I guess I will have to wait until I’m 100.” Dr. Connally has one daughter, Genna Davis. Her late husband’s children are Edwina Roberts and Aubrey Connally. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ed Connally.

To watch the video HSU made about the life of Dr. Virginia Connally, click here.