VIRGINIA BACKUS

BACKUS VIRGINIA CLARKE GRAY BACKUS (Age 95) Of Alexandria, VA died peacefully on January 18, 2017 at Goodwin House, her residence of many years. She was born on March 16, 1921 to the late Reverend Dr. Hawes P. Clarke and Jessie Ham Clarke in Suffolk, VA. Daughter of a United Methodist minister, she lived in several locations in Virginia. She graduated from Greensboro College in 1942. Upon her marriage to the late Dr. S. Nelson Gray, an Alexandria dentist, in 1944, she remained in Alexandria the rest of her life. In 1989, she remarried the late Judge Franklin P. Backus, an Alexandria Circuit Court judge. Virginia was a life-long United Methodist; she was passionate about her church, Washington Street United Methodist, where she was a member for close to 75 years. There, she served in many voluntary leadership capacities, including chairmanship of the Administrative Board, membership and teaching in a Sunday School class for decades, president of the United Methodist Women, member of the church trustees. She was also a delegate to the Virginia Annual Conference for many years. Virginia was on the Board of Trustees of Greensboro College, served as president of the Red Hill Garden Club, and was a member of Belle Haven Country Club. Virginia was loved for her generosity, her hospitality and gregarious nature, her sense of humor, and her fierce and loving loyalty to family and friends. If one was related to her in any way, one felt enveloped by her love, support, and strong opinions, which she always freely shared. Virginia was also preceded in death by her daughter, Virginia Lee Gray; brother, Lambuth M. Clarke, and two brothers who died as children, James and Palmore Clarke. She is survived by her son, S. Nelson Gray, Jr. (Margaret I. "Peggy" Gray); granddaughter, Margaret Lee Gray, all of California; grandson, N. Taylor Gray of Florida; sister-in-law, Alice A. Clarke; nephew, Palmore Clarke; nieces, Virginia Clarke Hitch, Jessica Clarke and Leighton Clarke Krips; six great-nieces and nephews; five great-great-nieces and nephews, and cousins, Mary Lou Carter, John Clarke and Frances Clarke. A memorial service will be held at Goodwin House, 4800 Fillmore Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311 on Monday, January 30 at 11 a.m. The Reverend Bruce Stewart will officiate. The family will host family, friends and the Goodwin House community from 12 to 2 p.m., after the service, main floor reception area. Memorial donations may be made to Washington Street United Methodist Church, 109 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 or to The Goodwin House Foundation, 4800 Fillmore Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Goodwin House second floor nurses and staff, the Hospice professional staff, Dr. Temme, and the family and friends who loyally supported and cared for Virginia Clarke Gray Backus.