Virginia Biles

virginia biles

November 20, 1933 ~ February 11, 2025

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Virginia Ragland Biles, 91, of Danville, died February 11, 2025, at home surrounded by her family. She was born on November 20, 1933, in Kinston, North Carolina. She is the daughter of the late Dr. Kingsley and Virginia Tull Miller of Danville and the late Samuel H. Ragland of Mullins, South Carolina. She is predeceased by her infant son, her husband George R. Biles, his son Steven Biles, and her sister Dian Miller.
Known affectionately as Gigi, she graduated from Danville High School, Centre College, and the University of New Hampshire. Gigi was a long-time teacher at Danville High School where she taught English, speech, journalism, and drama. She was known to her earlier students as Mrs. Graham and later as Mrs. Biles. During her years of teaching, she received grants to study at the University of North Carolina, the University of Virginia, and Eastern Kentucky University, she also studied Thoreau on Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. She received the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award and was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 1995.
She was a published writer of children’s stories and poems, an actor, and a director. Gigi was a founding member of the West T. Hill Community Theatre and served one term as its president. She was a member of the Garden Club of Danville and past president; the executive board of the Garden Club of Kentucky; past regent of St. Asaph Chapter, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution; Kentucky Society Daughters of the American Revolution committee chair, Jamestown Society, National Huguenot Society, Amanda O. Rodes Book Club and past president of the Boyle County Retired Teachers Association. She was a long-time member of First Christian Church where she was an elder emeritus. She enjoyed her grandchildren and playing bridge with her friends. In high school, she was accorded by her classmates the honor of Most Likely to Succeed, but she liked to say her greatest success was not money but the lives of her children and the young people she taught for 32 years.
Gigi is survived by her children Virginia “Ginny” (Bill) O’Donnell, Norman “Buck” (Julie) Graham, William “Monty” (Kim) Graham, Bill (Margaret) Biles and Maripat Biles, her grandchildren Virginia “Ginger” O’Donnell (John) Lucas, Eleanor Graham (Mark) Doerman, Will (Molly) Graham, Jack (Sarabeth) Graham, Robert “Rollie” Graham, Trevor (Lucy) Graham, Hunter Baltazar, Gretchen Biles, Hannah Johnson, Ebby Johnson, her great-granddaughter Aurelia “Aurie” Graham; and her sisters Jodi Cox and Beth Kelly. She shared her warmth, wisdom, and enthusiasm with her family, friends, and students, creating cherished memories that will be treasured forever.
A visitation and memorial service will be held when the flowers bloom.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to the DAR Virginia “Gigi” Biles Scholarship Fund or First Christian Church.

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  1. I have known Gigi all my life and was blessed to be an elder with her at fcc….she was an inspiration to me and a lady that I looked up to for guidance and my spiritual life…I will miss her sweet smile but most of all her friendship…rip sweet Gigi….🙏💕🙏

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  2. I met Gigi almost 20 years ago when I joined The Garden Club of Danville. She was one of the first people to greet me with her welcome smile. It is hard to describe what Gigi meant to our Club and those of us who called her “friend”. She was always ready to help at both the local and state level. She was our North Star in so many ways. I will think of her always with her perfect devotionals, her faithful friendship and her delightful stories. We miss you, Gigi.

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  3. Marpat & Hunter I’m so very sorry about Gigi . I know how much she meant to both of you. Hugs, & prayers to you both.

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  4. She was a good friend for many years. She moved to Danville when she was about 8. I have loved her ever since.

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  6. Lovely Christian Lady . Always enjoyed our times together at Young At Heart Group lunches ! God Is Good ! Kay

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  7. To Monty – I’m so sorry. Your mom was an amazing woman and I really looked up to her in high school. She made an imprint on so many lives.

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  8. To the family of Virginia,
    Gigi was a great example of a life well lived. She was an excellent teacher who suffered no fools. She was a loyal member of First Christian Church. She loved her family and community. Danville was better because she lived there. She will be missed.

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  9. Mrs. Biles was by far one of the most impact full teachers in my developmental years at DHS. She was not only a teacher, but also a confidant. I will forever remember and be grateful for my time with her! She helped my creative writing excel, believed in my poetry, and supported me through tough times in school.

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  11. Although she’s been retired for many years, Mrs. Biles was by far one of the greatest educators to ever grace this community. She saw good things in me, strengths in language arts that I didn’t see, and did her best to cultivate those areas. Mrs. Biles really cared about her students. I loved her, and even to this day think of her fondly and with much appreciation. To my classmate Buck, Ginny, Monty, and all the family, you have my deepest sympathy. I pray that the God of all comfort will give you peace as you reflect upon and cherish your dear mother’s memory. She was a very special lady.

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  15. She was the inspiration on my path to, “songwriting!” She was a dear treasure, and will be sadly missed! BUT? What an incredible educator and visionary, she truly was! RIP … dear lady! And? My friend! Thank you!

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  16. Maripat and Hunter,
    You have our deepest sympathies for the loss of your mother. Sending prayers for you during this difficult time.
    Ed and Vicki Tewmey

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  17. Sincere condolences from the reid family and from karen and Tommy Taylor and family . Samantha sends her love . Prayers up for all .

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  18. My condolences to the family on the loss of Mrs. Biles. An outstanding teacher and inspiring human being that influenced so many lives, including my own.
    She truly represented the term teacher in all facets of her life.

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  19. Had her as my next door neighbor for many years. Could not ask for better. She was a fine educator and mentor to many people. She was a wonderful mother and step mother. We are diminished by her loss.

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  20. I am so thankful to have had her as a teacher. I think of her often. I benefit daily from the skills that she taught. I still have the recipe she shared through an instructional writing example and make it often. What an impact she had on our town.

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  21. I have incredible memories of her as my junior English teacher at Danville high school. I thought about her so much when my family visited Massachusetts this past year and saw the graveyards of all the writers she introduced me to and Walden Pond I will forever remember those experiences of back to Walden. She also gave me my love of William Faulkner and the book as I lay dying, which was my junior term paper. I hope I can impact my students the way she impacted me.

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  22. Monty, your mom was such a kind, gentle, and sweet soul. I have always admired her. Her legacy lives on in all she touched, especially in you and your siblings. May her memory always shine brightly in you and may it bring you comfort. Sending you all love as you grieve and celebrate her life and all that she was. Cindy

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  23. Monty, et.al., So sorry for your loss. Few teachers impressed me, held my attention and earned my respect. She did all of those things. May you all feel the presence of God’s hand on you these coming months.

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  24. Ginny and Ginger, so very sorry to hear about your great loss. Prayers for fond memories to over shadow the grief that you are feeling.

    God bless.

    Kurt

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  26. What a wonderful LADY we have lost! I will always have such fond memories of Ms GiGi and the Graham family. You could not fail to learn something when you were around her, and it was always something valuable. I pray for healing and strength for the family. May she have eternal peace and joy in Heaven.

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