Almond, Virginia Susan (Tankersley)

Virginia Susan Almond passed peacefully from this life into God’s loving arms on Wednesday, February 10th, 2021, just days after her 101st birthday. She was born to Lancaster Hugh and Myra May (Matteson) Tankersley on the cold winter morning of February 5, 1920 in Richmond, VA. Sue, as she came to be called, was the 5th child of ten, with three brothers and six sisters. After high school, during World War II, she was employed at the U.S. Patent Office in Richmond for a few years before meeting 1st Lt. Jack Almond, then stationed at the Richmond AAB as a P-47 pilot in the Army Air Corps. He was in the latter stages of training prior to his assignment to a base in England in December 1943. After their marriage in 1945 in Laguna Beach, California, followed by Jack’s discharge from the Army Air Corps, they moved to Boulder, Colorado for four years so Jack could complete his engineering degree at the University of Colorado. While there, she “completed” her PHT (Putting Husband Through college) degree as many wives were awarded this honorary degree. Sue gave birth to John (1947) and Mary Sue (1948) before the family moved to Oklahoma for a short period of time, as they prepared for Jack’s re-entry into the newest branch of service, the United States Air Force, in 1950. They were stationed in San Antonio, Texas followed by another stint in Bryan, TX. In the Spring of 1952, they were reassigned to Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, Alaska Territory where Bud was born, and then on to Ent AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1954, where their last child Jeff was born in 1955. In late 1956, they were Transferred to Madrid, Spain which became such a life changer for Sue and the family as they embraced and assimilated into the Spanish culture of Madrid, followed by many trips to areas around Spain, France, Switzerland, and Germany. They moved back to the States for a nine-month stint in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1959, followed by three years at McConnell AFB, Wichita, Kansas from 1960 to 1963. It was during this time Sue became involved with the base church, working with the youth group and teaching Sunday School. She also began working with the Officers Wives Club, and wrote a culinary column in their newspaper, “Wichitalk”. In addition, she was also involved with the base Thrift Shop, and Gray Lady training for the Red Cross. In late summer 1963, the family was transferred to Alexandria, Virginia where Jack was stationed at Andrews AFB, Maryland. She was thrilled to be so close to her childhood home of Richmond, and certainly took the opportunity to visit with her father and a few of her brothers and sisters still living there. She had the opportunity to expose her family to the sights of Washington, D.C., Mount Vernon, and many other places. The family was on the move again, this time to Tripoli, Libya, Wheelus AFB, where they spent an exciting year and a half on the Mediterranean Coast. While in Tripoli she wrote a column for “The Wheelus Woman” in which she noted the various activities and travels of families living on base in addition to being involved with the OWC, Family Services, Red Cross, and PTA. She also began her first encounter with Altar Guild work which would become an important addition to her life as an Episcopalian. In late 1967 they relocated to Ramstein AB in Germany where Sue enjoyed antiquing, culinary arts, and painting. She studied art where she became proficient in oil painting.  They loved being in Europe again, and traveled extensively. In 1969 Jack was transferred to Utapao AB in Bangkok, Thailand for a solo assignment, at which time  Sue and the kids settled in Enid, Oklahoma. The following year, they moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where she fell in love with the area and again, studied art under influential artists. When Jack retired in 1972, they family settled in Oklahoma City where Sue was very involved in the local Episcopal Church, particularly with the Altar Guild, where she was appointed Diocesan Altar Guild Chairman for Oklahoma by the Bishop of Oklahoma. She was also elected a member of the Oklahoma Episcopal Churchwomen’s Board, trained to be a Stephens Minister, a Guild of St. George volunteer, board member, and also a member of the local PEO chapter. Sue and Jack spent 39 wonderful years in Oklahoma City until Jack’s passing in 2012, after 67 years of marriage. At that time, she relocated to Dallas, Texas to be close to her daughter and son, and several grandchildren where she lived her remaining years at “The Tradition” independent and assisted living apartments. Sue loved to travel as a result of living all over the world, but more than that she loved her family.  She often visited her sisters and sisters-in-laws in their various homes around the country.  Additionally she loved having her grandkids spend quality time with her and Jack during the summers when they were younger. She was a great cook and loved baking, teaching several of her granddaughters how to do both activities. She continued with her painting, in addition to other crafts. Sue loved fashion. She would make her own clothes, always wanting to be up on the latest trends. Even in the last few months of her life, she would ask her daughter what the new trends were in apparel. She is survived by her four children, John Almond of Austin, TX; Mary Sue Corpion (Raul) of Plano, TX; Bud Almond (Lisa), of Jenks, OK, and Jeff Almond of Frisco, TX. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren,  Kira Hartgrove (Todd) of Dallas, TX; Erika Hultsman of Dallas, TX, Weston Almond of Renfrow, OK; Jarrett Almond (Ashley Rollins) of Austin, TX; Maly Griffin (Wesley) of Goddard, KS; Jana Coppinger (Zak) of Austin, TX; Meghan Almond of Dallas, TX; and Grayson Almond of Dallas, TX. Also surviving are her two, soon to be three, great grandchildren, Luna and Belle Hartgrove of Dallas, TX;  and in April, Jana and Zak will be expecting their new baby girl!  Additionally, Sue had two bonus step grandchildren, Mimi Abell (Russ) of S. Berwick, ME and Chris Dunning (Laurie) of Edmond, OK; and five step great grandchildren, Marcos and Katalina Abell of S. Berwick, ME; and Luke, Drew, and Claire Dunning of Edmund, OK; and many nieces and nephews, and extended family A service will be held at a future date in All Souls Episocopal Church, Oklahoma City, where her ashes will be entered in their Columbarium.   Donation information to come shortly.   Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.  

Arrangements under the direction of:

Aria Cremation Service and Funeral Home

19310 Preston Road

Dallas, Texas 75252

(214) 306-6700