Virginia M. Craig

Virginia M. Craig, beloved wife of Robert Craig and mother of Michael R. and Richard McC. Craig died Saturday, May 22, 2010, after a brief illness. Born August 17, 1938, she was predeceased by her parents, Lefferts and Edith McClelland. She is survived by her husband of 46 years; her son ,Michael and wife, Juliana, son Richard and wife, Jennifer; her brother, Robert McClelland and sister-in-law, Rita; cousin, Blake Field and wife, Julie. She attended Emory and Henry College and graduated from Gettysburg College in 1962 with a B.A. in History. Mrs. Craig taught at the Middle School level in Fairfax, Country, Va. until marrying her husband, a Marine Corps Officer, and embarking upon what she referred to as a "gypsy" existence and interesting experiences involving thirty one moves, four of them half way around the world, before arriving in Roanoke in 1999.
In every location where she lived, Ginny involved herself with zest in community affairs, be it swim team activities, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts but most often programs of an educational endeavor. While living in Okinawa, Japan she was successfully involved for five years, with programs to assist military members earn their General Education Diploma.
The last year of her Okinawa adventure was spent working for the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education, as an English Resource Teacher on the (remote) island of Ishigaki, which she regarded as a memorable highlight of her life.
Having decided to "retire" in Roanoke, Ginny viewed moving here as a new adventure starting with the home she had always wanted and extending to becoming involved in many varied activities including Master Gardeners, The Herb Society, the American Association of University Women, numerous other activities and being an active parishioner at Saint John's Episcopal Church.
Virginia Craig was a woman of charm, quiet wit, intuitive, a perceptive thinker and a kind and giving woman. She was the pillar of support for her husband and children and leaves a void that cannot be replaced.
There will be a memorial service for her on Friday, May 28, 2010, at Saint Johns Episcopal Church at 1 p.m. A reception will be held at the church immediately following the service.
The family thanks the doctors, nurses, and support staff at Lewis Gale Medical Center for the kind and caring attention Virginia received during her illness.
The family asks that charitable donations be made in Virginia's name to Saint Jude's Hospital for Children, Memphis, Tenn. in lieu of flowers.