Tommy,
Our hearts go out to you. We will be praying for your strength as you deal with the loss of your wife. Best wishes.

Even though it had been years since the last time I saw Virginia at Quanah High, it was a real pleasure to watch from afar her work at Eakin Press. Her work and the lives it will continue to touch will be a lasting legacy for her family and friends.

Charlene and Durwood my prayers are with you.

Kyle, we are so sorry for your loss and want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Virginia was always very good to my Dad and she brought happiness into his life. I know that he is devastated that the love of his life has left and my heart goes out to him her children, and family. Watching the two of them together, you would think that they were kids dating rather than grown adults in their late fifties that were married. I can only hope that my wife and I always have that happiness that they shared. She was always great to me, my sister, and my family. She was always upbeat and full of energy, which has made the past year really tough to accept. My condolences go out to Kevin, Kyle, and Kris and their family, and especially Charlene. Godspeed Virginia you will be missed by all.

We had such good times together and those memories will always be with us. You raised great boys and you will be missed.

We want to extend our deepest sympathies to Tommy and all of Virginia’s children and family. She was a truly wonderful woman and her words and wisdom made impacts on my daughters life that she probably never even realized. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers, now and in the days to come.

Being a Texas publisher myself, Virginia and I shared an unusual relationship; she was the publisher of two of my novels and my "competitor" in that we both ran publishing companies and designed books. She was a delightful conversationalist, even when we were both harried with the business of the day. She will be missed by the entire Texas writing community.

I will always cherish the memory of Virginia. We were friends from the first day together at Goodlett Methodist Church. Time and distance kept us apart in person, but not in mind and heart. I always thought of her on January 3 and always will. My love to all her family.

Carolyn

Dear Kyle,

I am so very sorry to hear about your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I’ll always remember the day that I first talked to Virginia over the telephone. She decided to give two good old boys from Beaumont a chance to publish our book; her kindness will always be held dear and close.

May Tom and the rest of the family accept our most sincere condolences.

Virginia was my publisher after Ed Eakin passed away. She made the transition easy and was a gem to work with, and I always looked forward to my visits with her. She was always forthright and I apppreciated it. I will miss her.

May God grant her eternal rest. A great lady we will miss.

My condolences.

Oh, Virginia, how my Tom and I shall miss you. Your artistic eye, your passion for beautiful books, your keen intelligence all brought new life to Eakin Press.
My Tom will never forget how you coached him to create a better portrait of Sophie for the cover of Sophie’s War. I shall always cherish your honesty and strong will and the friendship that developed as we struggled to make the best books ever.
Love to all the family, especially Tommy, Charlene, and Kris. Virginia lives on in our hearts too.

A friend just told me that Virginia had passed away, and I am deeply saddened. Virginia did a marvelous job in publishing 3 of my books. Her covers especially showed her creativity and artistic talent. I appreciated Virginia’s encouragement of my writing. She took a risk in publishing my hymnbook; Eakin Press had not published anything like this before. She worked patiently and diligently with me, even allowing me to come to her office twice to get page layouts and other details just right. I sincerely appreciated Virginia’s professional expertise and her warm spirit. I will miss her.

Jann Aldredge-Clanton

I met and got to know Virginia in my role as illustrator for Eakin Press, and came to like, respect and appreciate her and her talent. She was not only a fine artist in her own right, but an excellent art director, and I benefited greatly from her suggestions and guidance. She was the first editor of children’s books to give me a chance, and I will always be grateful for her intelligence, help and friendship. Her death is a huge loss to all. She exemplified all of what I think of as good in the Texas character: Straightforward, diligent, honest, hard-working, imaginative and graced with a wonderful sense of humor. I will miss her very much. My sincere sympathies to all her family.

My thoughts and prayers are with all the family. May you all find peace & comfort in your memories of such a wonderful person.

What a heartbreak that she is gone so young. We will all miss her bright smile and cheerful personality. May God help her many loved ones cope with this terrible loss, and know that heaven is a brighter place with her there.

May Virginia’s life continue to touch each of your hearts, casting a peaceful presence for all to enjoy. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.

My prayers are with the family.

Virginia was my book design mentor and I will miss her guidance.

"You get better with each book. All good writers do", my publisher Virginia Messer told me after Eakin Press, which she helmed, published my fourth book. That email to me was typical of her encouragement to authors fortunate enough to work with her. Splendid book covers were her forte. When she told me of her cancer diagnosis, I began ending each of our conversations with "I love you, Virgnia!" "I love you too!" she always responded quickly. When I read her biography yesterday, I was astounded to learn that we share the same birth day and month (today). May the Lord Bless You and Keep You, Virginia–and give you peace.
Judge Janice Law, Houston, TX

Virginia’s sense of humor and laugh will be sorely missed. I am very grateful for hers and Tommy’s diligence in carrying on the family business. She had the patience to work with my Dad, Ed Eakin,while learning the business, in what for him, was a transitional period to the retirement he never took. She was strong enough to stand up for what she believed and could convey that to him with grace.

My thoughts and prayers to Tommy and Charlene, and the entire family for what will be trying times in future as you move on in a life without her smile.

Kyle, our thoughts and prayers are you all of you!

im just now hearing about your mom. im so sorry for you loss. you will bein my prayers!

Grandma Virginia was a very good artist. She helped me become a better artist. I enjoyed going to her house and swimming and talking to her. She was very special to me and I’m sure she was special to everyone else.

Love, Korbin

I am thankful for the part Virginia and Eakin Press have played in my life. Like many others, I will miss her encouragement and advice. Our prayers are with her and with the family.

My thoughts have been with you, Tom, Kris, and Charlene, as you’ve gone through this terrible year. I will always be grateful for what Virginia and Eakin Press did for me. Thank you. And fondest farewell to a bright light.

Virginia was my publisher and my friend. Her enthusiasm for quality writing and the making of attractive books was always an inspiration. Her loss is a loss to all her writers as well as to her family and friends. I will miss her voice on the other end of the phone and her guidance as I write. Please accept my sympathy and care.

Kyle, Kevin, and Kris, I’ll always remember your mom for fighting the impossible fight of keeping us in line when we were kids, then becoming a generous giver of her time as I grew up and got into the writing business. Know that there are many praying for your families tonight. God bless, Luke

How does one say good-bye to someone who made the past ten years so awesome, so life-changing. Five books in five years! Virginia gently took this librarian’s hand and led me to become a published author. Bill and I will never forget her. Blessing on Tommy, Kris and Charlene.

You can imagine my sorrow over the death of my dear friend, Virginia. My thoughts and prayers go out to Tom and all the family.
We are at the coast with family and will be unable to be there.

We are so very sorry to hear about Virginia. She and Tommy and Ed and Charlene played a significant part in my life for years, and I’m so grateful for the years at Eakin. Virginia had an indomitable spirit, lots of creative energy, and a giving heart. Our prayers go out to the family. Much love from Melissa, Joe, Jordan, and Zack.

Memories of Sweet Virginia,
I, who pride myself on being a wordsmith (my kids, on the otherhand say I never shut up!), have started this journey down memory lane many times since Kris called me to say that your time on this earth was drawing to a close…"…she only has a few hours left…" he told me…
"…a few hours…"
How could that be? I asked myself…How could such
a vibrant spirit…such an
all-encompassing presence…have "…only a few hours" to grace this earth?
To say we had a special bond is an understatement since from the first time we met we finished each others
sentences, ate off each others plate, wore each others wild and crazy jewelry (she loved my gecko bracelet and earings most of all, loved them so much I gave them to her the first time I wore them!)shared
more laughs than I had ever
shared with any other friend or relative….she always had
a story…I always had a story…the months when we
were working on what later became the "Letts Letters"
were some of the most enjoyable times I my life…
Nobody could grin like she
grinned, laugh like she laughed, cry like she cried…
I once read an epitaph that said, "If remembering
me makes you sad, I’d rather
you’d forget." I told that to
Virginia when the same gypsy
thief who stole her life took
Louis from me, and she had me e-mail it to her…so
I’ll read those words again,
remember her and be happy, because that is what she would want me to be and do.
Safe journey, dear friend whose smile is making the heavens brighter. You’ll be remembered and missed "…as long as the grass grows and the rivers flow…"
Love,
Molly G.

It was a great sense of loss when I heard of Virginia’s death.

I wanted to let you know that you have my greatest sympathy, and my heart is truly saddened.

Charlene and Durwood my thoughts and prayers are with you. May the Lord comfort and strengthen you in the coming days.

My deepest sympathies to Tom and the rest of Virginia’s family. She was a fabulous lady who meant an awful lot to me. She gave me the opportunity to be an author and she was always supportive. I was honored to be able to consider her my friend. We will miss Virginia terribly. God Bless.

Although I had been a typesetter for the better part of 30 years, when I first started working at Eakin Press 10 years ago, I was surprised and amazed to learn that I did not know everything! Virginia opened new doors for me. Most of all I loved the way she trusted my experience. No other employer ever treated me as a partner in design. It has been hard this past year, because when I get stuck for an idea, there is no Virginia to go to. There is only an echo of her saying, "What if we try this?"

Tommy and kids,

My awesome friend and colleague! Such a fabulous talent and wit!

Although I now have the regret that I never got the old gang together for that reunion, please know that I have thought of all of you so often. Good Times!

My deepest sympathy to all of you. The world has lost a fantastic talent, but you can bet that heaven is pumped up today!

Beautiful Picture.
LOVE HER! Love you!

Penny

It has been many years since since the last time I saw "Scotty". She was a great friend from Quanah High School. I will always remember how she made us laugh, the sparkle in her eye and her great way of cheering our team on as a QHS cheerleader! Love and prayers to her family.

Barbara,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Tommy and Kris, I’m so very sorry to hear of Virginia’s passing, but I know now that she will no longer suffer. She was a strong and brave lady and certainly far outlived the doctor’s forecast. I’m sure that was due to the wonderful support and love of her family. How nice that she was able to spend the last couple of years so close to her loved ones. I have many memories of the work we did together. She was greatly responsible for the high quality of Texas Tuxedos to Tacos and for that I’m so grateful to her. She, and you, are in my prayers. Please extend my sympathies to Charlene. How dreadful to lose one’s child! I regret, too, that due to other responsibilities I am unable to attend Virginia’s funeral service, but I hope you know that I am there in spirit. God bless all of you. You are in my heart and my thoughts at this very sad time.