Virginia Mae (Lestrick) Randolph

Virginia Mae (Lestrick) Randolph, age 79, of New Orleans, Louisiana affectionately known as “Ginny Mae” departed for her heavenly journey on Monday, July 17, 2023.

Virginia was born on April 13, 1944, the eldest of ten children to the late Eddie Lestrick Jr. and the late Elizabeth C.J. Walker. She was born in New Orleans, LA, but moved and became a longtime resident of Algiers, Louisiana.

Virginia was a brilliant African-American woman who served as the brains behind the family scene operation of our family generation.

Virginia was baptized at an early age under the Methodist Faith and her hope was built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness and started fellowshipping with the Baptist faith. Her favorite bible scriptures are Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 and Ephesians 6:2-3.

She faithfully enjoyed listening to her favorite songstress gospel singers Pastor Shirley Ann Caesar and the Queen of Soul, Aretha Louise Franklin last but not least the great Reverend James Edward Cleveland.

Virginia was an extremely hard worker throughout her life. She went to Business school and received her certificate as a Clerk Typist Tech. The family had considered Virginia as our own “Hidden Figures.” She was excellent in mathematics and dealing with numbers.

Virginia also had adopted a passion for cooking and passed it down to her children with plenty of love ingredients. She used her talent as employment as a cook at several restaurants, etc. which she truly enjoyed.

Lastly, Virginia will be remembered as a phenomenal Private Duty Nurse, & dedicated hard worker for the Council of Aging in New Orleans for a number of years. She was faithful to her career and especially to her clienteles.

Virginia had some unique characteristics. She loved mathematics and was excellent with numbers without using a calculator. She loved local traveling especially, riding the city transit buses, because she was able to use her bus discount card and do many social stops before going to her safe haven at home as she would call it.

Virginia loved to frequently read and collect books, the Times Picayune, Magazines, Recipes, Emails from family and friends, jokes, manuals for “How they Work”, Funny Poems, Crossword Puzzles, Word Searches, Vacation Guides, Closed Captions on Television, Letters from Family/Friends, Dinner/Lunch Menu, MAPS, Clothes Catalogs, Grocery Sales and more.

Virginia was obsessed with the shades of lavender/purple color. Virginia will always be remembered as a well-groomed very neat fashionable DIVA who had her very own sported style. Yes, she did wear her name brands and thought that all eyes should be on her, the Matriarch!

Virginia kept her love of God, her family and fellow man as her daily agenda until the very end of her heavenly crossover.

She is preceded in death by her loving parents Eddie Lestrick, Jr. and Elizabeth C.J. Walker, four (4) brothers: George Crawford, Eddie “Popoose” Lestrick, Edward “Ernest” Lestrick, Melvin Walker, Maternal Grandparents - Albert and Viola Crawford, Aunts - Alberta, Octavia, Alma, Sylvia, Doris & Evalina, Uncle - Mitchell and son-in-law John Corey Raftesth.

She leaves to cherish her unforgettable memories, three (3) children: Mary Elizabeth Randolph Rafteseth, Joe Nathan Randolph, Jr. (Laneshia Lynn Randolph), Anthony “Tony” Randolph, 10 Grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

She was survived by her siblings: brother, Albert (Dannette) WAlker of Stafford, Texas; twin-sister, Brenda Ann (Leonard) Williams, twin-sister, Glenda Ann (Kalton) Hall; sister, Celestine Walker, brother, Eric Lee (Faynette) Walker. Evalina Marie Lestrick, and close friend Joanne Lowe. She is also survived by a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Virginia touched numerous lives in her unique way with her genuine caring spirit, outgoing personality, and captivating stare. She fought with prestige, courage, and spiritual faith. She will always be loved, remembered, and dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral Arrangements

Family, relatives, and friends are invited to attend the memorial service “Love Is Forever” which will be held on Sunday, August 6, 2023 at 5:00 PM, at the Christian Empowerment Church, 940 Cohen Street, Marrero, LA 70072. Rev. Dr. Nivan S. Fields, Sr. - Pastor, will be officiating.

A grave-side burial will follow on Monday, August 7, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Internment Restlawn Park Cemetery, 3540 U.S. Highway #90, Avondale, LA 70094. Officiating by the Rev. Dr. Nivan S. Fields, Sr. - Pastor.