Virginia Lee (Bailey) Mezo

On Friday, March 21, 2025, Virginia “Ginny” Lee Mezo, a spirited 92-year-old from Herrin, slipped away peacefully at home, wrapped in the love of her family. Her departure leaves an ache, but her lively spirit—full of warmth and mischief—remains in the hearts of those she cherished.

Family and friends will gather for a heartfelt graveside service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Blairsville Cemetery, where her sister, Betty Loyd, will lead a celebration of Ginny’s remarkable life—a fitting farewell to a woman who lived with fighting strength and enduring devotion.

In place of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to St. Francis Animal Shelter, a cause dear to Ginny’s heart, reflecting her lifelong affection for her animals, especially her beloved miniature schnauzer, Lucy.

Born on December 10, 1932, in Hurst, to William Alex and Edna Mae (Short) Bailey, Virginia entered this world with a spark that would blaze throughout nine decades. On December 7, 1968, she married the love of her life, Frank Benjamin Mezo in Johnston City, forging a union that stood as a beacon of enduring love. Together, they built a legacy of warmth, laughter, and unshakable loyalty. 

She leaves behind her husband, Frank B. Mezo; her children, Frank Wayne (Amy) Mezo, Debbie O’Dell, Terry Herzog, and Rosemary Johnson; and a cherished group of grandchildren: Austin (Marika) Mezo, Jessica Mezo, Ethan Robinson, Kaylee Robinson, Jennifer Smith, Kylee O’Dell (John Hall), Laura O’Dell, Stephanie Miller, Lester Griffith, Lea Ann Griffith, Julia Herzog, Nicole Herzog, Taylor Riley, and Hunter Riley. Her great-grandchildren—Braxton, Bentley, Salem, Coraline, Drake, Linkin, Kennedy, Lacee, Ian, Reece, and Bentley G.—and great-great-grandchildren, Rylee and Jaxon, brought her endless joy. She is also survived by her sisters, Betty Loyd, Mary Waldron, and Edna Mae (Jerry) Wollenweber; her brother, Kenneth (Diane) Bailey; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins—all who adored her fiery spirit and who will miss her dearly.

Ginny was preceded in death by her parents; her daughters, Marilyn and infant Sherry Harrison; her brothers, William, David, Jack, Floyd, and Donald Bailey; her sisters, Martha Barnett and Joann Walker; her grandson, Lance Herzog; and her aunt and uncle, Ruby and Lee Hobbs. Their memory guided her home.

A devoted homemaker, Ginny was the heartbeat of her home, a steadfast source of love who poured her soul into every corner of her family’s world. She made everything run as it should. She took care of children from an early age being one of the older of 12 siblings. She then had 4 daughters of her own that she took care of as a single mother living in the city. After meeting the love of her life, Frank, she added one more to the family and together they raised five children and created a life they both treasured greatly. She worked several jobs throughout her life - most would remember her from Good Luck Glove Factory and Four Corners Restaurant in Herrin. She worked at a local nursing home and by her stories, she practiced way outside her scope in those days.  

In her quieter moments, Ginny’s passions bloomed. She lost herself in the pages of libraries worth of romance novels, wove love into every stitch of her quilts, and crafted treasures—hobbies that showcased her creativity and her resourcefulness. She loved fishing, tending her garden, having celebrations with her family, and the thrill of a good BINGO game. Her Christmas candies—fudge and divinity—were a holiday treat she shared generously, just as she enjoyed dining out and time spent with loved ones, their presence a source of comfort and joy.

Virginia “Ginny” Lee Mezo was a force who lived with love and emboldened passion, her family and her beloved animals at the heart of her world. Her memory endures in the lives she touched, a legacy of resilience and fiery strength.

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