Nina Appleton Farriss passed peacefully on Sept. 10, 2024, and Donald Vinson Farriss passed only 10 short days later on Sept. 20, 2024.

Nina, daughter of Grace Fletcher Appleton and Howard William Newton, was born Feb. 26, 1939. Nina grew up in Greenwich, Conn., and attended GreenwichAcademy and Sweet BriarCollege in Sweet Briar. 

Nina and Don were married Nov. 30, 1957, and raised three children in Old Greenwich and Riverside, Conn. Nina was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She and Don were each actively involved in their children's numerous activities. She was a loyal friend, developing lifelong friendships through her love of golf and tennis at Innis Arden Golf Club and the Lexington Golf and Country Club. Nina took pride in her volunteer efforts, becoming active in the Junior League of Greenwich, the Greenwich Public School System, the Lexington Garden Club and the Rockbridge Area Relief Organization

Don, the son of Martha Lancaster Neuhauser Farriss and Arnold Walter Farriss, was born Nov. 8, 1934. Don grew up in Huntington, W.Va., attended Greenbrier Military School and graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1957. At W&L, Don was a member of the Generals football team and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. 

Upon graduating, he began a distinguished banking and real estate development career spanning over 50 years. Don served eight years in the U.S. Army, starting his service at Fort Chaffee, Ark. He also was active volunteering with ARC of Greenwich. Don was an avid and accomplished golfer and never missed playing with his regulars at Innis Arden Golf Club and Lexington Golf and Country Club.

Don and Nina spent the last 41 years in Lexington, where they enjoyed the tranquil life alongside numerous lifelong friends and many four-legged friends.

“Nini” and “Papaw” leave behind a wonderful legacy: their children, Donald V. Farriss Jr. (Lisa) of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Elizabeth Appleton Farriss (Rexann) of Deer Park, Wash., and William Webster Farriss (Lisa) of Greenwich, Conn.; as well as nine loving grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Don and Nina’s loving caregivers, Julia Bane and Tammy Whitt, will always hold a special place in our hearts.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at Harrison Funeral Home in Lexington.  The Rev. Kimberly Baker Glenn of the Grace Episcopal Church of Kilmarnock will be officiating. A private burial will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Lexington.

Donations may be made to the Rockbridge SPCA and the Rockbridge Area Relief Organization in lieu of flowers. (https://rockbridgespca.net/ and https://www.raralex.org/)

Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home.