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Virginia was born and reared in Florence County, South Carolina, and graduated from Johnsonville High School. She attended Columbia College, a Methodist girls' school in Columbia, S.C., from which she received a business certificate.

A contestant for Mrs. U.S. Navy, she represented the Naval Air Training Command. Virginia worked for civil service and universities when time permitted. She was a Red Cross "gray lady" volunteer for many years.

Virginia was married to Ben Chinnes, LCDR, USN, for 45 years until he died from service-related illnesses in 1999. They had no children.

Virginia enjoys travel, music, art, theater, reading, and old movies, in addition to caring for her home in Otranto. She is also active in civic club, garden club, and politics, serving as a precinct poll manager, and formerly as the Colleton County Republican Executive Committeeman before moving to Berkeley County.