Virginia Sellers Oliver, born in Chadbourn, North Carolina on April 30, 1924 died quietly in her home in Fredericksburg, Virginia on Monday just past noon, February 11, 2008. She had endured a long confinement that had broken her body but not her spirit.
Born Virginia Fountain Sellers, the oldest child of Warren Hood Sellers and Margaret Carter, Mrs. Oliver delighted in her family. She spent endless hours researching her ancestors and keeping a watchful eye over her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She kept track of all of their accomplishments and proudly recounted them at every opportunity. She was a member of The National Society of Mayflower Descendents, The Daughters of the American Revolution, The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, and The Huguenot Society. While she was very proud of her ancestors, she was most proud of her descendents. She is survived by a son, Allen Oliver, and his wife, Marcela Gutierrez, of Louisville, Kentucky, and a daughter, Carol Ewing and her husband William Ewing, of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Her grandchildren are Lara, Charity, Andr, Ana, Tonja, William, and Jenna. Her great-grandchildren are Nathan, Rebekah, Mark, Caleb, and Ethan. Additionally, she is survived by a sister Ann Crawford and her husband Wayne Crawford, as well as their children and grandchildren.
Traveling on a troop train from Tennessee to Washington, D.C. during the Second World War, she met a charming, young Kentuckian, named Arville Oliver. He was enchanted by her and there began a romance that ended with his death in June, 1998, following 54 years of marriage. Arville and Virginia located in Maryland at the end of the war and there they raised their children.
Virginia worked throughout her life. She prepared for a life of work by securing a business degree from Andrew Jackson University on the campus of Vanderbilt University. While Arville was in the Pacific, she worked at the Department of the Navy in Washington. She talked about this experience frequently. It was her faithful service to her country. Virginia took time to spend the developmental years with her children but then returned to work for the Montgomery County School System, where she served as a Testing Specialist. She took pride in how she developed the department and its testing policies. She considered it a signal achievement. While she retired, she never left. This too was an act of citizenship. Virginia was also an accomplished and certified genealogist. She and Arville spent many years traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe researching their lineage. Throughout their retirement years, they jointly pursued this labor of love and were able to leave a completed work as a treasured gift to their family and future generations to come.
Virginia suffered a ruptured brain aneurism in January of 2003, followed by a stroke three weeks later. These left her paralyzed and speechless. In May of 2003, Virginia had her second round of breast cancer. She was frequently ill but never dispirited. She lived a vigorous life despite her paralysis. Through the years with the help of family and the dedication of her beloved caregivers, she enjoyed her life and loved outings. They sometimes went to a movie, sometimes shopping and at least once, on an excursion to Kentucky and Tennessee. Virginia was indomitable. Only death conquered her.
A funeral celebrating Virginia Oliver's life will be held Saturday, Feb. 16, at 11 a.m. at Laurel Hill Funeral Home, 10127 Plank Road Spotsylvania, VA 22553, with Dr. Allen Oliver officiating. Interment will follow in Laurel Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be William S. Ewing, William T. Ewing, Justin Kole, Ronald Weisser, Skip Jennings, and Allen Oliver.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at www.laurelhillfuneralhome.com.