Virginia Ruth Pepiot passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on April 18, 2022. Virginia was born Nov. 23, 1931, in Longview, Wash., to Dan and Ellen Nesmith. Her father, a mill superintendent, was transferred to Vaughn, Ore., when she was a teenager. Virginia graduated from Crow High School in 1948. After graduating she was a switchboard operator for the telephone company. She married her husband Howard Pepiot in 1952 after being introduced by Howard’s cousin, Harry Brown. Virginia was a homemaker and raised four children. In 1973, the family moved to Leaburg, Ore., to live on the family farm. There, they started a Christmas tree farm, Pepiot’s McKenzie Trees. She is survived by her daughters Paula (Gary) Karavanich of Aloha, Ore., Kathy (Ray) Fitch of Eugene, Betsy (Ed) Hecker of Springfield, and daughter-in-law Valerie Pierce of Eugene; five grandchildren, Jenny, Matt, Britt, Chris and Nick and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Howard and her son Jim. The family will hold a private memorial service. She will be laid to rest next to her husband Howard, at Greenwood Cemetery, Leaburg. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to McKenzie Fire & Rescue.
