Ann Valenta

Our beloved, Ann Mason Bailey Valenta, passed away Friday, December 16, 2022. She was 84. Ann was born in Surry County, Virginia to the late Karl Gordon and Ethel Horne Bailey, and was preceded in death by her brother, James Gordon Bailey. When Ann was young, the family moved to Newville, Virginia in Prince George County. Ann graduated from Prince George High School in 1955. After high school she went to work for Seward Luggage in Petersburg as a bookkeeper.

In 1958 Ann met the love of her life, Thomas Martin Valenta, who also worked at Seward Luggage as an IBM 403 Accounting Machine operator. Ann and Tom married on March 21, 1959 in the home of the minister of the Newville United Methodist Church. They made their first home at Carroll Arms Apartments in Petersburg.

In 1963 Tom was drafted into the US Army and the couple were stationed at Fort Ord, California and then at Fort Lewis, Washington. When Tom was discharged from the Army in 1964, Ann and Tom moved back to Petersburg where Ann worked as a bookkeeper for an orthopedic surgeon.

In February 1967 Ann gave birth to her son Thomas Martin “Marty” Valenta, Jr. A devoted wife and mother, Ann cared for Marty at home for four years before going to work for Wheat First Securities in 1971. Marty was Ann’s pride and joy and both she and Tom immensely enjoyed attending all of Marty’s school events including all types of sports and his high school and college graduations. In October 1999, Ann became “Grandma” to Marty and his wife Kelly Hunter Valenta’s son, Thomas Martin Valenta, III. So that she could enjoy being a grandmother, Ann retired from Wheat First Securities (now Wells Fargo) as a Vice President and Operations Manager in 1999. In July 2003 Grandma welcomed her granddaughter Kayla Renae Valenta into the world. Ann was a devoted grandmother and was incredibly proud of her son and grandchildren. Ann also treasured her role as Aunt Ann to many nieces and nephews.

Ann was a true southern lady and a gentle soul who will be deeply missed. Her family is comforted knowing that she is in a better place and will remain close to us in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bon Secours Southside Medical Center (https://www.bonsecours.com/about-us/foundation), or 200 Medical Park Boulevard Petersburg, Virginia 23805 in memory of Ann.

A memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834.