Virginia Campos Lerma

July 9, 1924 – March 27, 2020

Virginia was born in Corpus Christi, Texas to Victoria Trujillo and Ernesto Campos. The census in Corpus Christi at this time was 10,522. She was raised from the age of two by her grandmother Lenore Trujillo during the Great Depression. She often spoke of her adventures growing up on Chipito street and in her later years often went by the old neighborhood to relive those memories. Her grandmother was devoutly religious and thus it was that Virginia also followed her strong beliefs throughout her life. She prayed every day when she awoke and every evening before she slept.

Virginia was a woman of her generation and she never left home without her hair and makeup in place. She married Pedro Lerma right before World War II erupted and during the war years, she worked in a print shop on Lipan Street until the war ended. When Pedro returned home she kept the promise to the Virgin of San Juan with a pilgrimage to the holy site.

Virginia and Pedro had six children in the years following the war. It was in the mid to late 1960's that Virginia became a staunch advocate and supporter of the neighborhood improvement movement as a Neighborhood Coordinator with the Community Action Agency. She was known for being a problem solver and always treated everyone she met with love and kindness. Love and kindness was an attribute that she was known for throughout her life. She was featured in the local Corpus Christi Caller-Times (July 11. 1977, Section Doers). She would often take her children to neighborhood improvement meetings at George Evans Elementary to instill in them the importance of helping others and advocating for the community she lived in. Many people who she helped throughout her life became lifelong friends and extended family. Known as Mrs. Lerma, she was often stopped and reminded of her helping them.

On Friday, March 27, 2020, she left her earthly cloak behind and became the Angel in Heaven to all who knew her as an Angel on Earth.

Virginia is preceded in death by her husband of 38 years Pedro Lerma and her son Pete Lerma Jr. She is survived by her companion of many years Emilio Ponce, her children;  Adolfo (Yolanda) Lerma, James (Monique) Lerma,  Mary Jane (Joe) Garza, Rebecca (Guadalupe) Rocha, Laura (Joe) Perez and Daughter in law, Esther Lerma.  15 loving grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.  A special thank you and love to April Armstrong who became like a fourth daughter to Virginia during her last year of life. The Lerma family wants to thank her and the staff of Angel Bright Hospice Inc. for all the love and care bestowed on Virginia and the Lerma family.

It has been said that a person is defined by how they live their lives in the dash between their birth and death. Those that have had the pleasure and blessing to know her can attest that Virginia lived her life, " With the Grace of God".

Funeral services for Virginia will be for immediate family only at this time due to the current restrictions on large gatherings of more than 10 persons. The Lerma family will be honoring Virginia  with a Memorial service in July.