Virgil Mims, Jr.

Virgil Graham Mims, Jr., 89, of Spartanburg, died Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at White Oak Estates. Born August 28, 1922 in Wake County, NC, he was the son of the late Virgil Graham and Irene Chappell Mims. He married Ada Adcock on December 15, 1945 in Hayes Barton Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering degree in 1950 and worked 30 years as Field Engineer and as Project Engineering Manager for AT&T before retiring in 1984. He served 3 years in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II with the 8th Air Force 452nd Bomb Group where he flew 20 combat missions as aerial gunner on a B-17 Bomber. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Air Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the American Theatre Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with 3 bronze stars, two Presidential Unit Citations and the World War II Victory Campaign Medal. He was a 50-year member of Masonic Lodge (Campbell Lodge # 316) in Altavista, VA and Director of the North Carolina Chapter of 8th Air Force Historical Society for fifteen years. Mr. Mims was a IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) for 15 years, retired Senior Volunteer Program driver for 20 years, delivered Mobile Meals for 15 years, and member of the Telephone Pioneer Life Membership Club. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC, where he served as chairman of the Usher Committee, Personnel Committee, Building and Grounds Committee and the Board of Deacons. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Marie (Kevin) Butler of Chesapeake, VA and Sue (Mike) Sloop of Spartanburg; six grandchildren, Whitney Butler and Collin Butler, both of Chesapeake, VA, Christian Butler of Denver, CO, Kaitlin Sloop, Jacob Sloop, and Nathan Sloop, all of Spartanburg; brothers, William J. (Dorothy) Mims of Jacksonville, FL, Gene (Teen) Mims of Cincinnati, OH, and Charles Mims of Elizabeth City, NC. He was predeceased by a brother, Douglas Mims; and a sister, Louise Brock. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, conducted by Chaplain Vernon Thornhill. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Greensboro, 1000 W. Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27401. Following the service, the family will gather at Eden Terrace Assisted Living at 2780 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Virgil Graham Mims, Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.