Virginia Lee Harward

Virginia Lee Holloway Harward, 84 passed away suddenly on Monday, December 15, 2025, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, SC. She was born on December 31, 1940, to the late John and Ruby Holloway.
Virginia was known to those that loved her as Ginny. She graduated from Raleigh Broughton High School and Meredith College. She was an inspirational public-school teacher for more than 30 years. She began her career in Wake County Public Schools but spent most of her service at Hillandale Elementary School in Durham, NC. Even after she retired as a classroom teacher, she returned as an assistant or volunteer for many years. Prior to retirement and after her retirement she traveled with her husband extensively throughout the United States making it to all 50 states. She loved to cruise with her family and friends. She spent lots of time at the beach soaking up the sun and shagging with Ronnie to beach music. Both were members of the Eno Beach Shag Club.
In 1965, Ginny married Ronnie Wayne Harward who was the love of her life for more than sixty years. They had one son, John Douglas Harward (Doug), who she loved with all her heart. He thought she was the best Mom in the world. When Doug married Ellen Brewer (EB) in 1988, Ginny welcomed her into the family and treated her like a daughter. Both Ginny and EB worked together at Hillandale Elementary School for many years. These two never ran out of things to laugh or talk about. She was the perfect mother and mother-in-law. In 1992 she received a new title as Mema. She adored her three grandchildren, Ryan Douglas Harward, Brendan Tyler Harward, and Grace Kathryn Harward and poured herself into each one of their lives. Her eyes lit up whenever she was with them. When Grace married Harrison Mullen in 2024, Mema welcomed Harrison as her own grandson. All the grandchildren loved her dearly and she had a tremendous impact on their upbringing and lives.
Ginny was beautiful, inside and out. She was patient, kind, generous and always positive. Ginny lit up every room she walked in, always smiling. She lived each day to the fullest and loved her people fiercely! She had many lifelong friends and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Ginny was a member of Grey Stone Church and the CG Sorrell Life Group Class. She loved Jesus and her family takes comfort in many beautiful memories and God's promise of eternal life by faith through Jesus Christ. We know that we will see her again one day!
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 19th at Clements Funeral Chapel in Durham. The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 2:00 pm prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow the services in Brier Creek Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Grey Stone Church designated for the Music Ministry and Houses of Hope. Grey Stone Church: 2601 Hillsborough Road, Durham, NC 27705.
The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.