Virginia Marie Woodson

Virginia Marie Anderson Woodson, 91, died at home on April 20, 2013. A Memorial Service will be held at Old Mission United Methodist Church in Fairway, KS, at 2:00 PM, Thursday, April 25, followed by burial at Mount Moriah Cemetery.

Born in Ceresco, Nebraska to Victor D. and Hallene Anderson, she was preceded in death by her parents, husband Riley D. Woodson, and brothers, Stanley and Raymond Anderson, and son Riley Donald Woodson.

Upon graduating from Ceresco High School in 1938, Virginia worked in Tulsa, OK, for a year as a live-in-housekeeper, using her savings to attend Chillicothe Business College in Missouri. A professional secretary, skilled as a stenographer and typist, her shorthand was as perfect as her beautiful handwriting!. Married in 1947 to Riley at Old Mission Methodist Church in Fairway, KS, she began her most successful career as Riley’s wife and helpmeet , Mother to teenaged Don and Marjorie, and ultimately the beloved “Granny” of six Grandchildren and twelve Great-Grandchildren.

Virginia enjoyed caring for her family, home and garden and was a faithful volunteer at her church and Bethany Hospital. Traveling the globe with Riley was combined with visits to and caring for grandchildren. Her family of seven close siblings held a reunion each summer in Nebraska. Famous for beginning her day at 4:30 AM with her morning coffee, Bible and books, she stayed up late only to listen to Kansas Jayhawk basketball games on the radio---not TV---and she kept score. A bowl of M&Ms and a set of dominoes were always out, and she won most games with all comers

Accomplished, beautiful, gracious and fun loving, she met every day with grace and calm which has become family legend. She was a true Swede: never daunted, never complaining, never critical.

Virginia is survived by her sisters, Norma (& Jimmie) Harris of Athens, TX, Lucile Lowell of Ceresco, NE, and Mardell Gabel of Staunton, VA; brother, Chester (and Eva) Anderson of Mesquite, TX; her daughter, Marjorie (and Jerry) Brownlee of Hico, TX; her daughter-in-law, Sharon Woodson, of Port Clinton, OH; her grandchildren, Laura (and Ray) Brainard of Overland Park, KS; Wade (and Brenda) Woodson of Atherton, CA: Mike (and Janice) Brownlee of Fort Worth, TX; Riley David Woodson of San Diego, CA: Susan (and James) Miller of Houston, TX; and John (and Jennifer) Brownlee of Dallas, TX; and twelve great grandchildren; her nieces Gwen (and Denny) Fraze of Amarillo, TX and Pamela (and Dave) Wilson of Hutchinson, KS, Gigi (and Daniel) Helm of Kingman, KS, Patricia (and Eric) Blair of Bozeman, MT; and her nephews Mike (and Julie) Woodson of Penalosa, KS, and Bill (and Dollie) Rosecrans of Winfield, KS, and cherished friends, David and Peggy Raab of Palm Desert, CA.

Special thanks are extended to Laura and Ray Brainard and also to Alex and Melissa Brainard, who faithfully provided companionship and loving care during a difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Old Mission United Methodist Church is suggested. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.