Virginia Estelle Stewart Tippit

Virginia Estelle Stewart Tippit, 92, of Dyersburg, Tennessee, died on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at West Tennessee Healthcare-Dyersburg Hospital in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

Born Sunday, May 7, 1933, in Troy, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Odie B. Sampson and the late Ora Ann Lee Sampson. 

Mrs. Tippit was a dedicated worker throughout her life. She was employed at Roland Manufacturing in Ridgely and later at Reelfoot Manor in Tiptonville, where her sweet spirit and gentle kindness made a lasting impression. She had a warm personality that naturally drew people to her, and she made many friends along the way.

Above all, Mrs. Estelle loved her children deeply. They were truly the joy of her life, and the time she spent with them created countless treasured memories that her family will hold close to their hearts.

She also enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. She loved playing cards and spending time with family and friends around the table. Cooking was one of her greatest joys, and she will long be remembered for the delicious meals she prepared. Her chicken and dressing and banana pudding were favorites among family and friends. She was also well known for her homemade biscuits and gravy. On more than one occasion, she was known to slip someone an extra biscuit—or even a third one—though we won’t mention any names. She simply couldn’t resist a sweet smile.

Mrs. Tippit attended Cottonwood Baptist Church in Ridgely, Tennessee, where her faith was an important part of her life.

Funeral services for Mrs. Tippit will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in the Chapel of Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. Officiating the service will be Mr. Chris McDonough.  Interment will follow in New Haven Cemetery in Ridgely, Tennessee. Visitation for Mrs. Tippit will be held from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Johnson-Williams Funeral Home.

She is survived by one son, James Stewart of Dyersburg, Tennessee; one daughter, Cathy Couch (Charles) of Ruston, Louisiana, two daughters-in-law, Anna Stewart of Ridgely, Tennessee and Freida Hardy of Dyersburg, Tennessee and she  was "Grandma" and "Grandmother"  to her thirteen grandchildren, Kylie Yoshimoto, Kelci Harada-Mochizuki, Greg Hays, Lisa Oliphant, Joseph Stewart, Chad McDonough, Chris McDonough, Virginia "Ginny" Whitney, Danielle Hensley Couch, Shannon Stewart, Brian Stewart, Danny Louis Tippit, and Hope Roberts; fifteen great grandchildren, Erich, Aaron, Brandon, Zach, Dustin, Cheyenne, Savannah, Alexia, Gabriel, Heath, Raven Ann, Seth, Nate, Ian and D.J. and thirteen great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two husbands, R.C. Stewart and Louis Tippit; three sons, Stephen Stewart, William Stewart and David Stewart; one daughter, Vicki Stewart, two brothers, Willie Leonard and John Sampson and three sisters, Mary Frances Allen, Vernell Gammons and Zula Rodriguez.

Honoring Mrs. Tippit as pallbearers will be Danny Louis Tippit, Heath Whitney, Ralph Whitney, Henry Eubanks, Tony Lawrence and Doug Jones.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnson-williamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Virginia Estelle Stewart Tippit.

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