Virginia A. (Copp) Gleason

Virginia Ann Copp Gillett Gleason, 90, died December 17, 2020 at Edwards County Medical Center in Kinsley.  She was born July 8, 1930 in Dodge City the daughter of William C. and Edna Ree (Smiley) Copp.  Virginia graduated from Kinsley High School in 1948.  She attended The University of Kansas School of Pharmacy and graduated in May 1950 where she met and married James Preston Gillett in June of 1950.  They left for 3 years in the Navy moving up and down the west coast.  They had two children:  William (Bill) Walter Gillett and Catherine Ann Giles.  Upon being honorably discharged they returned to Kansas and Jim completed pharmacy school.  They then moved back to Kinsley and Jim worked at Copp Pharmacy with Virginia's father.  Virginia was a full time mom, wife and homemaker until Jim's passing in 1965.  She then went to work full time at Copp Pharmacy with her father.  She met and married Mike Gleason, her new backyard neighbor, in January of 1971.  Together they farmed, ranched and ran the pharmacy until Mike's passing in 1993.  Virginia retired a year later and began traveling with family and friends.  She was incredibly active in her Community with organizations such as The Chamber of Commerce, Extension, PEO, United Methodist Women, Midway USA, The Carnival Heritage Museum, Library Board, Historical Society.  She enjoyed playing Bridge with her friends.

She is survived by her children Cathy (Roger) Giles of Bucklin, KS. Bill (Jackie) Gillett of Broomfield, CO. 5 grandchildren 10 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands James Gillett and Michael Gleason and a sister Marguerite Beck.  

Memorial service will be on Monday, December 21, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the Kinsley United Methodist Church in Kinsley.  Inurnment will be at a later date.  Memorials may be given to the Edwards County Medical Center or to the Bailey Habiger Fund in care of McKillip Memorial Funeral Home.

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