Zona Irene Briggs

Zona Irene Frazier Briggs went home to be with her Lord on November 9th, 2022, in North Augusta, South Carolina. She was born on June 29, 1938, in Woodlawn, Virginia, to the late Henry Strader Frazier and Martha Davidson Frazier. She graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1956. After her marriage to John Carl Briggs on February 16, 1957, she continued her education at Lee (College) University, Cleveland, TN, as well as at Wytheville Community College and later New River Community College. As a pastor’s wife, Zona served the Church of God with her husband at churches in Glasgow, KY and Roanoke, Woodlawn, Dublin, and Spotsylvania County, VA. In the 1960’s, she worked as a secretary for the Virginia Church of God State Office (Roanoke, VA) and as an Executive Secretary for the Church of God Youth Department and Church of God World Missions Department (Cleveland, TN). In the early 1970’s, she worked as an Executive Secretary for Sperry Rand (Glasgow, KY and Roanoke, VA). She stayed home for several years with her children and returned to work in the 1980’s as a Legal Secretary for the law firm of Jenkins, Quigley, and Craig (Radford, VA). In the 1990’s, she was a Legal Secretary for attorney Martin Bass as well as the law firm of Willis and Ashby (both in Fredericksburg, VA). She retired in 2003 along with her husband, and returned to the family homestead in Woodlawn Virginia. In her later years, she and John spent winters in North Augusta, South Carolina, near their daughter Rhonda and her family. Zona moved to North Augusta upon the passing of her husband in 2020. Zona loved God and serving in the church as a pastor’s wife, Ladies Ministries president, and Sunday School teacher. She was especially fond of worshipping God through music, although she was not musically inclined herself – and she would tell you that. Her favorite singer was her husband, John. She loved her family and getting together for events and reunions with her immediate family and with her brothers, sisters, in-laws, nephews and nieces. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren, who called her Nana. Zona’s home was always open to family and friends. She and John had a special love for younger ministers, welcoming them into their home and supporting them with their prayers and encouragement. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, John Carl Briggs; her parents, Henry and Martha Frazier; and brothers and sisters Adeen Sumner, Dorothy Utt, Dale Frazier, Grace Smythers, and RC Frazier. Zona is survived by her daughter Rhonda (Ricky) Criss, North Augusta, SC and son Philip (Sabrina), Chesapeake, OH; grandchildren Trista Briggs, South Point OH, Jacob (Tess) Criss, Augusta, GA and Holly Criss, Pooler, GA; great-grandchildren Melodie, Ella and Maya Briggs, South Point, OH; brothers Lloyd (Edna) Frazier, Cleveland, TN, Kyle (Katherine) Frazier, Austinville, VA, Herbert (Jewell) Frazier, Cleveland, TN; sisters Edith Frazier, Fern Hanks, and Glenna (Dean) Winesett, all of Woodlawn, VA; sisters-in-law Nora Frazier, Woodlawn, VA, Florence Collins, Salem, VA, Myrtle Briggs, Roanoke, VA, Dot Briggs, Glade Springs, VA, Linda Briggs, Marion, VA; and brothers-in-law Jackie (Joann) Briggs, Waynesboro, VA, Roger McGlocklin, Hillsville, VA, and Ronald Thomas, Dallas, NC, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the many caregivers and healthcare providers for their dedicated care and love shown to Zona during her illness, especially Hammond Place Assisted Living Community, Regency SouthernCare Hospice, and Mr. Rodney Young. If so desired, a donation may be made to the Church of God World Missions, P.O. Box 8016, Cleveland, TN 37320, in lieu of flowers. Visitation will be November 11th from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel in Hillsville, VA. Viewing will be held at 9:45 to 10:45 am on November 12th at Woodlawn Church of God, 1019 Oak Grove Rd, Austinville, VA 24312, with the funeral following at 11:00. A short internment service will follow at the Pickett Cemetery in Austinville, VA.

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Zona Irene Briggs

June 29, 1938 - November 9, 2022