Virginia Tinin "Mama Gin"

Mary Virginia Graham Tinin was born on September 27, 1925. She was raised in Clifton, Tennessee with her sister, Doris Jean, and brother, Alfred, who she deeply adored. As years passed, she began playing basketball and being in the band at Frank Hughes School. She made several friends she kept in touch with even years later. This is also when she met her Hubert... and all his sisters. Their love grew and grew with plans to marry quickly after graduation, but World War II changed that. Hubert was sent to serve his country, while she graduated and started working at Genesco. Don't think that stopped them though. They wrote letters back and forth the whole time. In May 1944, Hubert was home on medical leave and they decided before he was shipped back out, they would run to Corinth and get married. They did just that. Their love made it through a literal war. Once settled into marriage, they added their first born; a sweet baby girl, Patricia. She must have been a handful because Virginia waited several years before adding another. This time it was a boy, Tommy. Even though Tricia thought baby Tom was Mama's favorite, she equally loved them so, so much. The next several years, Virginia spent time making Tricia dresses, keeping Tom from kicking doors, Hubert fed, and working, all at the same time. Talk about a woman who could do it all! Soon her babies were grown and married too. Shortly after she earned a new title, one that everyone knew her by, Mama Gin. She spent the next sixty years spoiling her grand, great grand, and great great grand babies. She was their number one fan! She would be at every event, no matter how big or small. When she wasn't busy taking care of us, she loved to travel and sew. She visited almost every state with the VI to P group. She loved those trips and the group of friends she made along the way. In her later years, she loved sewing with the sew sew girls. She looked forward to this weekly. Speaking of weekly, if you planned to visit, you better have called ahead to get on her week's schedule. She kept the roads HOT! The granddaughter's tried to keep up with a group text, but she still snuck off. Between club meetings, working election polls, shopping with Tricia, eating with whoever picked her up first, and just taking random trips to Dollar Tree, she was a busy woman! At 99 and a half years old, she still lived her life exactly like she wanted to. She was a strong, Christian woman who put everyone's needs before her own. She taught us to follow God, love deeply, and how to cook a good meal, especially her dumplings, but she was still working on teaching us the sewing part. She was a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church, FCE Club in Clifton, and Sewing Club in Clifton.

Even though we will miss her terribly, we know she's in a better place. We will forever be thankful for all the memories we shared.

Virginia Tinin departed this life on May 28, 2025 in Clifton, Tennessee, at the age of 99 years, 8 months, and 1 day.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Thurman of Savannah, Tennessee; son, Tommy Tinin of Clifton, Tennessee; grandchildren, Susan McAfee (Joe) of Savannah, Tennessee, Dave Boroughs (Bobbie Ann) of Savannah, Tennessee, Melissa Ruth (Nick) of Olive Hill, Tennessee, Paige Davis (Travis) of Sharon, Tennessee, and Megan Littrell (Jake) of Waynesboro, Tennessee; great grandchildren, Brandon McAfee of Savannah, Tennessee, Jordan Boroughs of Savannah, Tennessee, Kelsey Cherry (Justice) of Savannah, Tennessee, Josalyn Ruth of Olive Hill, Tennessee, Dawson Slone of Sharon, Tennessee, Jonathan Davis of Sharon, Tennessee, Garrett Ruth of Olive Hill, Tennessee, Remi-Kate Slone of Sharon, Tennessee, and Addison Littrell of Waynesboro, Tennessee; great great granddaughter, Laurelyn Cherry of Savannah, Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Ella Graham and Alfred Graham; husband, James Hubert Tinin; sister, Doris Jean Oakley; brother, Alfred Graham; and great grandchildren, Lauren Ashley McAfee and Jada Ruth.

Pallbearers will be Travis Davis, Jake Littrell, Nick Ruth, Brandon McAfee, Joe McAfee, and Kenneth Holt.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Justice Cherry, Dawson Slone, Garrett Ruth, and Jordan Boroughs.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Sharing is Caring Pantry, Philadelphia Baptist Church, Sheltering Tree, or a charity of your choice.