Funeral Mass for Virginia Paragas, 84, of Philippines, will be held Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Andrew’s the Apostle Catholic Church in Lufkin with Father Joby Thomas officiating. Interment will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in California.

          Mrs. Paragas was born on April 17, 1939, in the Philippines, to the late Damaso Sur and Isidra (Nate) Sur, and died Monday, May 29, 2023, in Lufkin, Texas.

          Virginia was a teacher for 25 years.  She loved God and was a woman of virtue, strength, and piety.  She lived her life walking in faith and put God above all things.  She was smart, caring, generous, and sensitive to the needs of others. 

          She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Josefa and Samuel Santiago of Lufkin, TX; daughter and son-in-law, Maria Celina and Mark Edwards of North Carolina; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis Anthony and Susan Paragas of California; grandson, Joseph Santiago of Lufkin, TX; granddaughter, Shanelle Santiago of Lufkin, TX; grandson, Aaron Edwards of North Carolina; and granddaughter, Emilia Paragas of California.

          She was preceded in death by her husband, Buenaventura Paragas.

          Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Shafer Funeral Home.  Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.

          Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.