Mary Virginia “Gigi” Wise Prettyman

Mary Virginia "Gigi" Wise Prettyman passed away on Jan. 29, 2021, in Suwanee, Ga., at her assisted living home, The Mann House. She was 89 years old. Virginia was born May 13, 1931, in Butler, to Vernon L. Wise Sr. and Mary Margaret Veach Wise. Vernon was the president of the Butler Eagle for many years, until his passing in 1968. Virginia attended Butler elementary schools through eighth grade. She attended Mount Vernon Seminary in the Washington, D.C., area for high school. From there, Virginia attended Allegheny College and graduated with a degree in fine arts. Upon graduation from college, Virginia started working for Revlon Cosmetics in New York City, where she traveled to many college campuses showing young women how to use Revlon products. She also worked as a travel consultant for a real estate firm. It was in New York City where she met Bill Prettyman, her husband, on a blind date. They were married on Jan. 7, 1956, in a ceremony at her parents' home on Belmont Road in Butler. Bill and Virginia moved many times in their lives, and Bill will tell you that she did a great job making the best of every move through the course of their marriage. Virginia ...[more]

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ed many activities. As a child, she loved horseback riding. As an adult, she was an avid tennis player and was an exceptional gold ballroom dancer for 30 years, winning many awards and accolades. She also enjoyed time with her family and friends. She was always known to be well-dressed, appropriate to the occasion, and she wore her clothes beautifully. She had her pink lipstick and nails done even in her last days. She was known to wear pantyhose on the tennis court! She loved playing bridge, and she was very competitive. Virginia was known to be a one-on-one person with a great sense of humor. She was known as a person of great perseverance, able to handle whatever challenge was thrown her way. Virginia is survived by her husband of 65 years, Bill of Suwanee, Ga. She is also survived by her three children, Bill (Joy) of Johns Creek, Ga., Mary Lou McIlwraith (John) of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jeff Prettyman of Johns Creek, Ga. Virginia had nine grandchildren, Will Prettyman(Lauren) of Greenville, S.C., Grant Prettyman of Los Angeles, Calif., Jack Prettyman of Johns Creek, Ga., Tyler McIlwraith of Cincinnati, Ohio, Cole Mc-Ilwraith (Emily) of Los Angeles, Calif., Jennifer McIlwraith of Cincinnati, Ohio, Brooks Prettyman (Nicole) of Atlanta, Ga., Clint Prettyman of Atlanta, Ga., and Paige Prettyman of Johns Creek, Ga. Virginia had three greatgrandchildren, Eleanor Virginia Prettyman of Greenville, S.C., William David Prettyman of Greenville, S.C., and Hazel Mae Prettyman of Atlanta, Ga. She is also survived by her brother, Vernon L. (Sarah Jane) Wise Jr. of Butler; and her sister-in-law, Karen Patterson Wise of Butler. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her twin brother, David Wise, of Butler. Due to COVID-19, a celebration of life for Mary Virginia "Gigi" Wise Prettyman, who died Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, is planned for a later date. Donations in Virginia's honor can be made to the American Cancer Society. You may express condolences at www.ingramfuneralhome.com or at www. butlereagle.com. Ingram Funeral Home and Crematory, 210 Ingram Ave; Cumming, GA is in charge of the arrangements.