Sister M. Virginia Baltz, Osb

Sister Mary Virginia Baltz, a member of the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent for 23 years, died February 23, 2025. She was 86 years old.

Virginia Mary was born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 20, 1938, the firstborn of the 13 children of the late Paul and Ida (Layton) Baltz. She recalled wanting to be a religious Sister from a very young age, and at 16, entered the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood in O’Fallon, Missouri. After 12 years of service as a teacher and organist, she left for health reasons. She then spent the next several years as a teacher in Catholic schools and later public education before changing career paths and working in business for 22 years. In 2002, she felt the Lord calling her again to religious life, and she entered the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters. She made First Vows in 2004 and Final Vows in 2008.

Sister Virginia spent her early years as a Sister as community Infirmarian, teaching Religious education at St. Mary’s in Paragould and as an organist. She also provided support for the community liturgy and newsletter. Sister Virginia was a gifted musician and was dedicated to prayer and spiritual reading.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 brothers, Gerald  and Joseph Baltz;  2 brothers-in-law, Hurschell Walker and Harold Ungerank; and 1 sister-in-law, Delphine Baltz.

She is survived by her Sisters in community; 5 brothers, Fr. David Baltz, mccj, Kenneth (Jennie) Baltz, Leonard (Yolanda) Baltz, Anthony (Violeta) Baltz, and Vincent (Mary) Baltz;  5 sisters, Pauletta Walker, Bernadette Ungerank, Joan (Henry) Gross, Mary Therese Koch, Margaret (Alex) Lantos; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be at Holy Angels Convent on Thursday, February 27, at 6:30 p.m., with the Rosary and Night Prayer at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 28, at 10:00 a.m. in the convent chapel, and interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery on the convent grounds.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Holy Angels Convent Retirement Fund, 1699 CR 766, Jonesboro, AR, 72405.