Biography:

Virginia Machen was born and raised in West Helena, Arkansas, to Lee and Ethel Massey on November 14, 1924. She was a devoted wife to her husband, Claude Machen, of forty years. After his passing in 1982, she became a true matriarch of her family, playing a starring role in raising each of her beloved grandchildren and hosting joyful family holidays, her favorites of which were Christmas and her shared birthday with her grandsons.  She was a ruthless card player, whether it be bridge, canasta, rummy, or slap jack (none of which she liked losing, especially to her children).  She was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church, often dedicating time to visiting fellow congregants in the hospital and welcoming new faces to services and bible study. Most of all she was deeply loved by her family, caregivers and friends, for whom her memory will always be a blessing.

She is survived by her daughters Mary Machen (Liz Lucker) and Claudia Bearden (Rick); her grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Nanny”, Marybeth Shepard (Jason), Adam Bearden (Jennifer), Spencer Lucker (Stephanie), and Allison Bearden; her great grandchildren Evelyn, Corbin Grace, Avi, and Mila, whom she loved Facetiming with and saying “hi, baby!”; her niece Sarah Karrant (Jim) and her family; and her nephew Prentice Merritt (Nancy).

She left her family and friends to join her husband Claude on October 3, 2023, one month shy of her 99^th birthday, on which she would have loved receiving lots of presents.

Family and close friends will be celebrating her life and enjoying the memories she leaves behind during a private memorial service. Her family asks that memorials be made to the Presbyterian Village (510 Brookside Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205) Healthcare Activity Department, which provided her and the “dog vallo” so much joy in her final years. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com