Virginia B Batzinger

Virginia Bass Batzinger, age 93, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on July 8, 1932, in Andalusia, Alabama, Virginia was the youngest of eight children born to Henry and Kate Bass (née Gillis). As the baby of the family, she brought fun, laughter, and a bold spark wherever she went. She shined brightly from an early age, and that light never dimmed. Family was always at the center of Virginia’s life. She loved her siblings deeply and treasured them through the years, even as time gradually carried each of them home before her. Most recently, she mourned the loss of her sister, Rubye, in 2025.

On New Year’s Eve in 1956, Virginia met the love of her life, Allen Batzinger, after he crashed a party she and her sister were hosting. She later said she knew that very night she would marry him. True to her word, they were married on Thanksgiving Day in 1957, beginning a partnership that would span more than 60 beautiful years, until Allen’s passing in 2018. Theirs was a love story built on laughter, devotion, and unwavering commitment. Together, Virginia and Allen built a life centered on family. She is survived by her beloved children, Brenda Nelson and Brant Batzinger (Torri). She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Aubrey Irvine (Rob; great-grandchildren CJ and Maddie), Sierra Rose (Patrick; great-grandchild Jamie), and Kaden Batzinger. Nothing brought her more joy than hearing about the lives of her children and grandchildren. She listened with genuine interest, celebrated their successes, and offered steady encouragement through every season of life. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.


Many cherished memories were made at Lake Murray, South Carolina, where Virginia and Allen lived for many years. Family gatherings there became the backdrop of countless stories and traditions. She loved boat rides on the water, teaching her grandchildren how to fish, and sitting on the patio sharing meals, laughter, and long conversations with the people she loved most. To say Virginia will be missed is an understatement. Yet her family finds comfort in imagining her reunited with Allen and with the friends and loved ones who have gone before her. They smile at the thought of her sipping a drink, playing cards, dancing, and laughing—just as she always did.


A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held on February 21 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Bush River Funeral Home, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212.