Virginia A. Milligan

Virginia A. Milligan (née Burris), age 78, longtime resident of Maryville, passed away on November 29, 2025, at Morning View Transitional Care Center. Virginia was known for her loving spirit and her commitment to open-mindedness – she did not tolerate prejudice or bigotry. She worked for many years as a realtor before spending 14 years in food service at Maryville College. Her greatest joy was supporting young people. She coordinated soccer, scouts, and music clubs, trained and served as a line-referee for youth soccer games, and then later devoted countless hours attending and volunteering at sporting events at Maryville College. Known affectionately by students as “Miss Virginia,” she considered them all as her own. One of her proudest moments was receiving the Maryville College Spirit of the Covenant Award. Virginia loved traveling to visit her son in Wisconsin, New York, and Italy, and she was happiest with her feet in the sand by the ocean. She was preceded in death by her parents William (Bill) O. Burris, Jr and Jennie Fiorilli Burris, as well as her sister-in-law, Betty Jane Burris. 

She is survived by her brother, William (Bill) O. Burris, III; son Gerry Milligan and husband Ben Medley; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and chosen family. A Receiving of Friends and Family – Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 6, from 1:00 to 3:00pm at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the scholarship fund in her name at Maryville College. Donations may be made by selecting the Virginia Milligan Endowment on the giving page https://www.maryvillecollege.edu/giving/give-today/