Virginia Nell Shannon

Virginia Nell Shannon, 87, of Buna, TX, passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 6, from 6:00–7:00 PM at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton, TX. A graveside service will follow on Friday, May 8, at 10:00 AM at Antioch Cemetery in Buna, Texas.

Born on May 12, 1938, in Port Arthur to Henry A. and Ivy (Freeman) Shannon, Virginia was raised in Buna, where she left an early mark as a standout athlete. A 1957 graduate of Buna High School, she was instrumental in leading the basketball team to back-to-back state championships and earned the distinction of being named to the first-ever Texas State All-Star team.

Virginia continued her education at Baylor University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, and later received a Master of Library Science from North Texas State University. This led to a dedicated career as a librarian and library designer. On August 12, 1961, she married Lawrence W. Baker at First Baptist Church in Buna.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Jack. She is survived by her devoted husband, Lawrence Baker; sister-in-law, Nan Shannon; her nephew, Lee and a loving extended family of great and great-great-nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital or Habitat for Humanity.