Ms. Virgia Ruth Harvey was born in and resided in Ravenna, Texas during her early
years. After the untimely passing of her dear mother Monema Edith Harvey-Smith as a
child, Virgia moved to Dallas with her caring grandparents Arnold Sr. and Irma Harvey
of sunny South Dallas. She was educated in the Dallas school system and completed her
formative education as a proud Trojan of James Madison High School in 1963. She went
on to attend the esteemed Prairie View A&M University after high school and would
obtain a bachelors degree in Education. Upon completing her degree, she would go on to
become a manufacturing engineer at Texas Instruments until her medically necessary
retirement in 1990.
Virgia was a very sociable and likable young woman and would welcome her only child,
Brandon Keith, in the summer of 1972. She, being a spiritual young woman, would join
Community First Baptist church in Dallas in 1973, where she and Brandon would spend
many years as faithful members.
Virgia Ruth was very loving and was beloved by many family members and close family
friends. She is survived by her caring son and daughter-in-law Brandon and Shuntay
Harvey-Dotson, 2 wonderful granddaughters Desma Martin (formally Harvey-Dotson),
Zoe Harvey-Dotson, son-in-law Rondell Martin, her loving younger sister Eleanor PolkSmith, beloved friends Hiram and Gwen Harrison (who are also Brandon's God-parents),
Brandon's best friend, whom she called her "other son", Eric McCoy, wonderfully
considerate and caring cousin Belinda Wright...along with a number of aunts, uncles,
cousins, very special family members and close family friends.
We'd like to acknowledge some special family members that have preceded Virgia Ruth
in transitioning:
Monema Edith Harvey-Smith, mother
Arnold Sr. and Irma Harvey, grandparents
Emsie Lee, father
Joe B. Smith, step-father:
Artavia F. Smith, sister
Ruth H. Rodgers, aunt
Evelyn Wright, aunt
Marie Wright-Harvey, aunt
We believe the best way to honor Virgia's memory is to live how she lived...which was to
always put family first and to value the genuine connection between family and friends.
We hope that we have learned from the way that she lived and to value those that we love.
May she rest in peace