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Virginia Vinton Obituary
Virginia Christine McCubbin was born October 15, 1966, in Glendale, California. She grew up in Springfield, Missouri, and received a Bachelors degree in Missions from Baptist Bible College. She went on to get her Masters in Linguistics and ESL from University of Texas - Arlington. There, she met her husband of 33 years, Jim Vinton.
Virginia and Jim joined Wycliffe Bible Translators in 1993 and went on to serve those in Mozambique who did not yet have God's Word. Between 1997 and 2009, they worked among the Chuwabo and the Sena people groups. In the aftermath of a war for independence and a long civil war, Mozambique was a difficult place to work. Virginia endured rugged living conditions. At first she worked shoulder to shoulder with Jim, later becoming a full-time mother and teacher to her daughters after they were born. She was always an unequalled encouragement and advisor to Jim as he worked in Bible translation. The Sena New Testament was published in 2014.
Virginia next taught English and Citizenship classes to non-native English speakers. She was loved by her students and would host celebrations for her classes when students passed their citizenship exams.
Most recently, Virginia channeled her creativity and love for beauty as floral manager at a local supermarket. She would come home every day energized by the work she did with flowers and people.
Virginia's life will be celebrated on Sept. 27, at All Saints Anglican Church, 5328 Hemby Rd, Weddington, North Carolina, at 2 PM.
Please feel free to add your memories of Virginia to the guest book here.
Virginia's Celebration of Life will be streamed online, you can watch it by clicking this link - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrOG42tgJM3zbOdr97H1HEw
Virginia loved flowers her whole life, so you'd be welcome to send flowers to the church on Friday. If you'd like some other options, please consider: an investment of any amount towards Bible Translation.
Or an investment of any amount in the Mozambican training center
Thanks very much!
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Andy Barlow
October 7, 2024
Jim,
Julie and I were grieved to find out about your great loss of Virginia. We remember her as someone with a sweet spirit and kindness to others. I remember her wit and sarcasm which always gave me laughter. May you find peace in the void you are feeling. We would love to see you sometime. Feel free to contact us if you ever pass through Lexington, KY. May you heal along with Abby and Emily. May the Spirit of God bring you comfort. We are sorry for your deep pain.
Julie and Andy Barlow
David and Gerd LePoidevin
October 1, 2024
Oh, Jim, we are so sorry to hear of Virginia no longer being here with you and the family! We so fondly remember your visits with us in Quelimane! Our paths didn't cross much after that, but we knew you were here in Mozambique and later returned to the US. We have a son-in-law who has battled the bipolar disorder for more than a decade, and it is heartbreaking at times. May God's deep and abiding comfort and care be very real in the coming days, week, months, and years, until you can be with your Virginia again in Heaven. Dave and Gerd LePoidevin
Dora and Edgar Carlos
September 29, 2024
I think, Virginia and Jim needed a lot of patience with us, when we moved into their city Beira as their new colleagues. They helped us find our way around and a home there, were incredibly hospitable and generous while we were getting settled and endured our ignorance and lack of experience on so many levels also regarding cultural differences of Germans and Americans. Thank you for making our landing in Beira so much softer and for all the time and nerves it cost you!
Elise (Irene) Dyck Wilder
September 28, 2024
I met Virginia in the dorm at SIL in Dallas. We shared many fun and serious moments on campus and later as roommates off campus. I was lucky to be able to visit again in Chicago and in Waxhaw, and to meet Abby and Emily when they were little. I will always remember Virginia's depth of caring, kindness, intelligence, and her fun-loving nature. I am so sorry for your tremendous loss, Jim, Abby, and Emily. I pray that God will give you strength and comfort in these very difficult days.
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Michelle W
September 27, 2024
I worked with Virginia and she had a beautiful smile and brighten everyone's day. She also had a beautiful touch with flowers. I will always remember her in her flamingo shirt on Flamingo Fridays. She loved the floral department and loved putting smiles on customers faces. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and coworkers. May the Lord hold you close, and when you see a flower in bloom or a flamingo smile and remember Virginia's sweet smile.
Doug and K.O. Kasten
September 26, 2024
Jim, K.O. and I are grieved to hear of the loss of your wife, the mother of your children, and someone we called our friend. It's been a long time since we've seen you, but that doesn't take away the sting of the loss. You are in our prayers, all of you. We have such good memories. I hope you make your way back out to Colorado or we make it to N.C. It would be great to see you. God keep you. Doug and K.O
Mirjam Korevaar
September 26, 2024
Our deep condolences for your loss.
I have great memories to Virginia in our time in Mozambique (2005-2009). We found out we were almost the same age and both had two young children which were almost the same age. It was great joy to meet each other at the end of a tiring day. We both felt that we were not really into this `housewife and mothering´ thing although we did so our best and wanted to be the best for our children and husbands. The children could play together and we had a coffee with most of the time the lovely chocolate chip bars of Virginia (I still use her recipe). I really enjoyed being around her. I loved her sense of humor. We have had so much fun. Her sense of humor felt very familiar to what I was used in my family. We enjoyed talking about our backgrounds and searched for the similarities and differences. We could talk about everything and so often we found out that we thought similar about so many things like child-raising, living in Mozambique, how to live a Christian life, the love for God and the Bible, gardening, Sunday school, baking and cooking. She was a wise woman. I was impressed by her story of why she wanted to translate the Bible in other languages and her discipline of getting to that goal. She chose to be with the children because she knew that was her task for that moment. She inspired me.
Virginia gave me this pot when we left Mozambique. She told me that it was one of her favorite pots and we both loved that color. I cherished it and every year I have put new plants in it. It was for several years in the house and the lost couple of years in the garden. And every time when I look at it, I thought a moment of Virginia and had a smile in my heart.
Jennifer Dunn
September 25, 2024
Our time with Jim and Virginia was short but the memories are sweet and will last a lifetime. My fondest ones are dinner dates and the time Virginia and I spent the day hitting every garage sale we could find. Her calm spirit and easy-going ways impacted my life. We will continue in prayer for those she left behind.
Jennifer Dunn (for Russell)
Laura and Pete
September 23, 2024
Dear Jim,
Our hearts go out to you and your daughters as you grieve the sudden loss of your precious wife and mother. We also grieve her loss, as she was such a sweet friend! Virginia was like a breath of fresh air to be around because of her caring heart, her honest expression of her thoughts, her dedication and hard work toward what she believed in, and her heart-warming smile. It is heartbreaking to know that she is no longer in this world. But it is also comforting to know that she is now in perfect peace, face to face with her Savior. We are so sorry that we will not be able to attend her celebration of life, but will be remembering you all in our thoughts and prayers. Hopefully we can get together at a later point.
With much love and sympathy...Pete and Laura Blackburn
Kathleen Busch
September 23, 2024
Virginia and I started college together in Springfield, MO. We met in the registration line in August 1984. As neither her nor I knew anyone else on campus, we decided we would room together along with another new friend we had just met, Nita D. (now Ledbetter). I must say my first year of college and my life was made better because of Virginia and Nita. Nita got married after our first year and Virginia chose to live at home with her mother. Because we were taking some of the same classes, we remained friends and when I got married in 1986, she was my Maid of Honor.
We kept in contact even as she went on to Texas and met her husband, Jim. My husband and I were missionaries in Germany. Nita and her husband were missionaries in Ireland. I was excited for Jim and Virginia and their ministry! She would write and tell me about their leaving for the mission field, their time in language school and when her girls were born. I rejoiced when her girls were born and have been following their ministry over the years. Sadly, we did not keep in as close contact. I will always remember her sweet spirit and our friendship.
I pray for Jim, Abby and Emily, for peace and comfort and God's arms around you!
Jennipher Francis
September 22, 2024
Jim, Abby and Emily, my condolences for your loss. Virginia was such a loving and caring person. I wish you a continuous flow of comfort and peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dana (Sullivan) Tyson
September 13, 2024
Hi. I'm Dana Sullivan (now Tyson) and I was Abby's teacher at Waxhaw Elementary several years ago. I wanted to send my deepest condolences to you all and say how much I remember and appreciated Ms. Virginia's sweet, gentle spirit and loving nature. Her willingness to help in our classroom with anything at any time was such a precious gift. I know she enriched the lives of everyone she met in the same way she did our room that year. You all will continue to be in my prayers as you navigate this time of grief. Special hugs to Abby!
Dana (Sullivan) Tyson
catherine crane
August 22, 2024
My flamingo friend, fly high and free. I am a better person for knowing you. I will always cherish our friendship and time together. I vow to honor that friendship by living my best life for both of us.
Your Flamingo Friend,
C
catherine crane
August 22, 2024
Nancy Loveland
August 20, 2024
Chuwabo land and coming to spend time at a literacy workshop. Being so kindly welcomed and made a part of the home.
Virginia was the one who encouraged me to buy an AC unit for my apartment in Nampula.
I remember her Chicago land pizza as well!
Good memories.
Byron Matthews
August 20, 2024
Christmas 1992
This was the first Christmas together for 3 young married couples. Virginia and I weren't from families who gathered around the piano singing Christmas carols for Saturday night fun. So we became the Angelic Interpretive Dancers. I hope I was the younger brother Virginia never had growing up. I certainly teased her like one I already miss my sister-in-law, but I know I will see her again one day soon with Jesus. And we will all dance together. Love and prayers to Jim, Abby, Emily, and all the family.
So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.
John 16:22 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.16.22.NLT
Brandon Beaudoin
August 19, 2024
This is one of my last memories with aunt Virginia. I went in her store just a few months ago to see her and thought I would support her work. She loved working with the flowers so I told her if she made a nice bouquet I would buy it no matter the cost and this was the bouquet she made for me. She was always warm, kind, and supportive. I miss her more than anything. Rest In Peace.
Kelly (Dick) Albrecht
August 19, 2024
Jim I just heard about Virginia's passing. I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you Jim and your daughters, Abby and Emily. May you find God's comfort and peace during your grieving.
Jack Byrom
August 19, 2024
Jim and family,
I am so sorry. I never got to meet Virginia, partly because you guys are world travelers and based so far away from Colorado, but she seems like a wonderful soul, and I know you will miss her. I'm sending good thoughts to her, and to all of you, for healing and peace.
-Jack B.,
Grand Junction, Colorado
Janet Marks Patterson
August 19, 2024
Jim, I have no words. Just know that you and your family will be in my prayers as you walk this road of grief. God will be with you and He will comfort you. Lean on Him.
Ray Tenorio
August 19, 2024
My wife and I met Jim and Virginia, normally as we’re passing their home in Waxhaw, often walking our dogs and meeting their fur baby. Virginia was very understanding and gracious years ago when I first met her as I was chasing my Beagle who got away and ran through the forest behind their home. I am sorry to learn of her passing yesterday.
Marijane Beutler
August 18, 2024
Virginia was my first friend in the SIL Moz group as the Vintons were who received me in Portugal and hosted me until I found long term housing. I can remember doing some cooking together and laughing about some of my adventures with trying to find housing.
I will always think of her at any mention of Chicago style deep dish pizza and still enjoy the memory of baking some together during one of their visits to Nampula. I have yummy memories of her tortilla press in Quelimane during several of our stays with them there. I also still think of her in regards to living room lighting! She hated "harsh overhead lighting!"
I was sad when the Vintons left Moz as I had hoped they would end up in Nampula because I knew Virginia and I would be able to spend time together and I looked forward to building our friendship. But I sadly did a horrible job of staying in touch once they moved. I will always regret that.
Jim, Abby and Emily, we send our love and will continue to pray that you feel God´s comfort and care in special ways.
Vickie Oldham
August 18, 2024
As her neighbor, I was touched by Virginia´s love, kindness, creativity and compassion. I will never forget my sweet friend!
Kevin Beeson
August 17, 2024
Jim, my old and dear friend Sometimes I honestly don´t know what to say. I heard a lot of things when Kim passed but remember very little.
I´m here. That´s the main thing. I´ll talk anytime you want. I will personal message my number to Martha. I love you and hurt for you.
Martha Matthews
August 17, 2024
Beautiful tribute for an amazing, strong person. We are sending our love and prayers daily for peace, comfort, and wisdom for Jim, Abby, Emily, Cindy, and everyone who was loved and touched by Virginia.
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