Virginia Lucile Davidson Sellars

Our hearts are heavy as we announce the passing of Virginia Lucile Davidson Sellars. Virginia “fell asleep in Jesus” on July 5, 2026 at the age of 92. She was born on April 20,1934 in Madison, TN. She was the eldest child of Ralph Davidson and Dorothy Foote Davidson. Virginia “Ginny” (or Gigi to her great-grandchildren) grew up with her parents and three younger sisters in Tennessee and Washington state. Virginia attended Little Creek Academy in Tennessee and Southern Missionary College for pre-nursing classes. She graduated from the diploma nursing program at the Florida Sanitarium and Hospital in Orlando, FL in 1955 and passed her state boards in April 1956, going on to earn her B.S. degree in nursing at Madison College. While still a student, Ginny was asked to become a clinical instructor for the nursing program. Her career of teaching was enjoyable for her for many years.

On September 10, 1959, Virginia married Gene L. Sellars. They lived on the campus of Madison College and welcomed two sons, Coley Melvin and Carl Lee. In October 1974, they were called to serve as missionaries in Iran. Coley and Carl were 13 and 10 years old at the time. The young family sold their home, Gene’s business and some of their belongings and left for Iran. The revolution broke out in Iran in 1978 and the Shah left. In the midst of the danger and instability, Virginia and Carl were emergency airlifted to safety and a few weeks later Coley met them in Tennessee. Gene later reunited with his family on Thanksgiving, 1979.

In 1980, the family moved to Kettering, OH where Gene worked as a Physical therapist in the Kettering Hospital and Virginia taught in the School of Nursing of Kettering College of Medical Arts. Virginia continued to teach for 16 years and retired as an Associate Professor in nursing.

Virginia and Gene retired to Portland, TN in June 1996, where they were members of the Portland SDA church. Virginia was a life-long SDA.

The last several years, after her husband Gene passed away, Virginia has lived with family in Asheville, NC with visits to Florida and Tennessee.

Ginny’s passions were her service to the Lord as a very active member of her church and her family and many friends. She also loved her nursing career and music. Bird watching was a lifelong hobby of hers and it was easy to become a bird enthusiast when spending time with her.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Gene, oldest son Coley Sellars and her sisters Anne (Galen) Pettey, and Joan (Charles) Rouse. She is survived by her son Carl (Sally) Sellars, grandchildren Darrah (Dallas Shaw) Sellars and Landon Sellars, sister June (Fred) Mathieson, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Virginia Sellars passed away July 5, 2026 in Asheville, NC and her ashes will be interred at Riverside Gardens Cemetery in Woodbury, TN, next to the graves of her parents.

A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held in Portland, TN on November 14, 2026. Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting with the local arrangements.