Virginia Ann

Georgia farm girl turned Girl Scout Woman of the Year, Executive Director of the Columbus Steeplechase, Director of Volunteers for 1996 Olympic Softball, Vice President of Marketing for an international payments company.

Growing up in Hawkinsville

Hawkinsville, Georgia, in the middle of the state, is where the story starts. Virginia Ann's father was a cotton/peanut farmer in the bustling little river town. Her mother, Virginia, did not want to live outside on the farm so they built a home on the main street.

Virginia Ann and Kelley the Irish Setter — Virginia Ann and her dog, Kelley.

An Irish Setter, and the first in a long line of dogs that would define most of her adult life.

Virginia Ann Homecoming — Homecoming Queen

Virginia Ann as Homecoming Queen on the Hawkinsville High float.

College days

From the bottom left going clockwise - Karlyn, Virginia Ann, Catherine Hinman Malles, Ruth Knox, Nan Maddux. At Wesleyan College in Macon, GA.

Virginia Ann was a member of the Wesleyan College. Washboard Band. Virginia Ann is playing the tambourine on the left of the stage.

Family

Virginia Ann and her father in the cotton fields — High Cotton

Virginia Ann and her dad, Lucius Daniel, out in one of his cotton fields - the farm is hundreds of years old. Still managed by Virginia Ann.

Virginia Ann with her mother and father — Daniel Family

Virginia Ann with her mother, Virginia, and father, Lucius Daniel. Her dad passed away in 1997 from prostate cancer. And mother passed away in 2016.

Virginia Ann's extended family in Highlands, NC — Family in Highlands

For several years in the 80s and 90s the Daniel family would meet in Highlands, NC for a week. They were fun reunions in a beautiful location. So beautiful that we decided in early 2000s to purchase a home in Highlands. In the photo from left to right: Aunt Caroline Drinkard, Uncle Ed Mixon, Aunt Jacqueline Mixon, Virginia Ann, Cal, father Lucius Daniel, and mother Virginia Daniel.

Milestones

Virginia Ann turns 40 - still looks like 20. Maybe the costume ages her a little.

in 1994 Virginia Ann posed for a portrait for a newspaper article on her. The article was about her tenor as the Executive Director on the Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens a post she had had since the race's beginning in 1985.

She doesn't look 40 does she?

Girl Scouts Woman of the Year award — Woman of the Year

In 1995 Virginia Ann was nominated by the Girl Scouts to be Girl Scout Woman of the Year, and this is the day she was presented with the award.

Virginia Ann was the Operations Director for the 1996 Olympic Games in Columbus. Here she is with some of the great personnel who helped her. Columbus hosted the Women's Softball games.

Virginia Ann and Baileys at a midnight marathon — Midnight Marathon

Virginia Ann and our first beagle, Baileys, running in the Midnight Marathon. Nighttime is a great time to run in the warm Columbus, GA summer. Baileys would hang up his running paws shortly after this for for several years enjoyed jogging with Virginia Ann. Virginia Ann would also hang up her running shoes but continued to walk every day several miles.

Parade Volunteer Chairperson Virginia Ann Holman and Ft. Benning Commanding General, Brigadier General Ben Freakley after the Parade of Heroes. The parade was to pay tribute to the Ft Benning soldiers in 2003 after Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Since her fathers death Virginia Ann takes a more active part in managing the family farm.

Retirement

Virginia Ann with the CEO of TSYS - Troy Woods - at her retirement ceremony in 2016 after 21 years leading TSYS Marketing. Virginia Ann took the position from one person in 1995 to an International Marketing Division of over 20 as TSYS saw pronominal growth during her tenure.

Virginia Ann begins a long journey studying French and volunteering for many positions in the church and community events.