RIP Virginia Patton

 

 Virginia Patton Moss, It's a Wonderful Life Star, Dies at 97

Movie Web

By Jeremy Dick

August 21, 2022

 

The last-surviving adult cast member of It's a Wonderful Life, Virginia Patton Moss, has passed away.

Actress Virginia Patton Moss, who memorably appeared in the classic Christmas movie It's a Wonderful Life, has died. Per Variety, Moss, who was the last-surviving adult cast member of It's a Wonderful Life, reportedly passed away on Aug. 18 in Albany, Georgia. She was 97 years old.

Taking to Facebook to express her sorrow, former child star Karolyn Grimes, who appeared in It's a Wonderful Life, wrote a message that reads: "We have another angel! Virginia Patton Moss. She was 97 years old. She played Harry Bailey’s wife in the film, It’s a Wonderful Life! She is now with her beloved Cruse. She will be missed!"

As noted, Moss played Ruth Dakin Bailey, wife of Harry Bailey (Todd Karns) and the sister-in-law of George Bailey (James Stewart). The mention of "Cruse" refers to Cruse W. Moss, whom Moss married in 1949. The couple had three children during their marriage and remained together until Cruse passed away in 2018.

An Ohio native, Moss was born on June 25, 1925, in Cleveland. The niece of General George S. Patton, Moss had ventured into doing stage work as an actress before landing roles in feature films. She broke out with her role in Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, which was released in 1946 and remains one of cinema history's most revered holiday films. She had previously appeared in movies like Thank Your Lucky Stars, The Last Ride, Janie, Hollywood Canteen, The Horn Blows at Midnight, Canyon Passage, and Nobody Lives Forever.

Moss would only continue to act for a few more years after the release of It's a Wonderful Life before pursuing a successful career as a businesswoman. She went on to appear in the Western movie Black Eagle, the drama The Burning Cross, and the film noir A Double Life. Her final acting credit was in 1949's The Lucky Stiff, as he retired from performing following the release of this feature.

“I couldn’t see me doing that for my life,” Moss said of her decision to retire in 2012, per Variety. “I wanted exactly what I am. Ann Arbor, Michigan, a wonderful husband, wonderful children, a good part of the community. I work hard for the community.”

At this time, we would like to offer our condolences to the family and friends driving the loss of Moss at this difficult time. May she rest in peace as her memory continues to live on.

 

PATTON, Virginia (Virginia Ann Patton)

Born: 6/25/1925, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.

Died: 8/18/2022, Albany, Georgia, U.S.A.

 

Virginia Patton’s westerns – actress:

Roaring Guns – 1944 (Karen Ferris)

Canyon Passage – 1946 (Liza Stone / Bartlett)

Black Eagle – 1948 (Ginny Long)