Virginia Flagg Clements passed away in her sleep on May 6, 2021. She was born April 24, 1927, in Dallas. She was the youngest and last surviving sibling of seven children born to Belle and Robert Morton Flagg, Sr. She was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, W.W. "Foots" Clements. She is survived by her children, David Thomas and wife Vicky of Beaumont, Judy Thomas of Dallas, Janet McCarty and husband Joel of Dallas, and stepson Wayne Clements and wife Susan and their family of Springfield, Mo. She is also survived by her grandchildren Brandon Thomas and wife Jessie of Beaumont, Tyler Thomas of Dallas, Maggie Carver and husband David of Dallas, Macey McCarty of Dallas Tx, and Mallory Heinsohn and husband Luke of Charlottesville, Va. In addition, she is survived by great grandchildren Verena, Miles, and Eve Thomas of Beaumont, Jack Heinsohn of Charlottesville, VA, and many, many nephews and nieces across the country who all adored their Aunt Virginia.
Virginia was a proud 1944 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High school, the same high school all three of her children attended. She never forgot her school, giving generously to programs at the school, particularly to her son David's Class of 1966 Land Hyland scholarship, where she was one of the scholarship's largest benefactors.
Virginia met Foots when she went to work for him at Dr Pepper as his executive secretary on Valentine's Day, 1957. She worked at his side as he rose from Vice President to President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, and as he oversaw Dr Pepper's rise from regional soft drink to an international brand.
After they married, Virginia retired. She spent the following years helping Foots realize his dream of opening the Dr Pepper Museum and W.W. "Foots" Clements Free Enterprise Institute in Waco, the original home of Dr Pepper. The museum opened in 1991. After Foots passed away, Virginia remained on the Board of the Museum until her death, and was instrumental in fundraising and the opening of new additions to the museum. To date, the Dr Pepper Museum has had over 2 million visitors.
Virginia also participated in helping Foots realize another dream. In 1980, Foots was presented with the Horatio Alger Award, an annual award given to Americans who have overcome adversities in life to rise to the pinnacle of their industry. Foots became Chairman of the Association and later the permanent Chairman Emeritus of the Association. It was Foots' goal for the Association to give out as many college scholarships as possible to teenagers across the country who had gone through their own hardships in life, while still excelling in school. Virginia remained an active member of the Life Time Partners of the Association until her death. Today, the Horatio Alger Association is the largest private scholarship program in the United States. Since 1984, the Association has given out more than $193 million in scholarships.
After Foots retired, he and Virginia traveled extensively around the world, while also entertaining an ever revolving door of friends and relatives at their beach home in Destin, Florida. Virginia was an active member of Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas Country Club, Dallas Historical Society and was a past board member of the Baylor Health System Foundation.
The family would like to thank the home services of C.C Young and specifically Rose, Kiara, Sabrina, Kathy, Leanna, Burky, and hospice nurse Phillip. And a special thanks to Virginia's long time housekeeper, Glenn Benson, who put her life on hold the last two and a half years to help oversee Virginia's care.
Virginia lit up a room wherever she went and left so many great memories for all who knew her. She was truly beautiful on the inside and out. There's a huge hole in our hearts today, but we rejoice in the fact that Virginia and Foots are together again, perhaps making a toast to two lives well lived with two ice cold 6 oz. bottles of Dr Pepper.
The family will hold private burial services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you make a donation to the Dr Pepper Museum, 300 South 5th St, Waco, Texas, 76701, the Horatio Alger Association, 99 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 320, Alexandria, VA, 22314 or to a charity of your choice.
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