Virginia Gae Best, a treasured wife, mom, grandmother, and sister,

extraordinary friend, and faithful Christian, passed

peacefully from this life on April 27, 2025, in Denton, Texas, with her three

sons at her side.

Gae was born to Velma and Winlon Knowles on October 27, 1941, in

Longview, Texas. When Gae was 4, her brother, Jack, joined the family.

Their lives revolved around family, school, church, and Texas football.

Winlon's coaching career required several moves through which many

Adventures were enjoyed, and enduring friendships developed. Gae

graduated from Pine Tree High School and earned BA and M. Ed. Degrees

from East Texas State University, now Texas A&M University at Commerce.

Gae had a great sense of fun and had a way of welcoming newcomers; she loved us all!

Gae's career as an English teacher reinforced her knowledge and love for

words and stories, spoken and written, especially Christian liturgy and the

well-written novel. She also enjoyed the competition and pageantry of "big

events" … playoff games, tennis tournaments, and royal ceremonies, to

name a few.

Gae and her husband, Rob Best, enjoyed 44 years of marriage as

coaching jobs took them from Texas to North Carolina and New York, then

back to Texas as they raised their sons, Scott, Craig, and Brian. Coaching,

church, and service to the community were constant in their life together.

Gae enjoyed many long-standing friendships which she valued throughout

her life.

She was active in many organizations: American Football Coaches Wives Association; Hearts of Hospitality House, Boone, NC; St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church, Blowing Rock, NC; St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Denton; Study Group of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Denton; Our Daily Bread, Denton.

Preceded in death by her husband, Robert Jay Best; herparents, dear aunts and uncles.

Survived by sons and daughters-in-law Scott and Tonya Styron, Craig and

Monica Styron, Brian Best and Avril Westerman, brother and sister-in-law

Jack and Mary Knowles, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Rhys and Sue

Best, Rory and Gretchen Best, and eight grandchildren, Alli, Ari, Avri,

Zachary, Sydney, Aidan, Amelia, and Elliott, and great-grandson Bradley,

Aunt and Uncle Betty and Gayle Wise, many extended family members and

a host of special friends.

Services will be Friday June 6, 2025. Commendation Service, St. Barnabas Episcopal

Church, Denton, TX

Committal Service will be Saturday, July 12, 2025, at The Mary Garden at St. Mary of the

Hills Episcopal Church, Blowing Rock, NC

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Barnabas Episcopal

Church in Denton, TX, St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing

Rock, NC, or simply help a neighbor in need. Online condolences or

reflections may be left at http://www.mulkeymasondenton.com