Virginia T. Lancaster

Please join the celebration of 93 years of life of our beloved sister Virginia Oneida Tyler Lancaster who went home to be with the Lord on December 15,2023. Virginia was born on May 2, 1930, in the small town of Suffolk in southern Virginia, to Cotelia Crocker and Willam Tyler. She attended Andrew J. Brown and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School.

With a dream of becoming a Broadway fashion designer in the tradition of Edith Head, she attended Loving Tailoring and Design School and Martha Washington Tailor and Design School in Richmond.

On a trip to Washington D.C. she met Simon Coleman. After a short, but whirlwind romance, they married, but at 25 found herself a widow with two young sons, Karl and Kenneth.

In 1964 she married Walter Lancaster, a sergeant in the Air Force. After relocating to Capitol Heights, Md., Virginia retired from the Prince Georges County School System with the Opening Minds through Art, or O.M.A. program.

Virginia had the style and charm of a true “steel magnolia.” She was 5 feet and 100 pounds of feisty. Her southern roots were always on display as the door was always open, friends were always welcome, and coffee was always hot. Neighbors, the Allens, Browns, Colliers, Sheltons, and Newmans, that turned into lifelong friends, describe her as friendly, supportive, caring, and loving. She loved to cook, especially Thanksgiving dinner, sew, entertain, and was one of the most popular moms on the block. Everyone knew her favorite pastime was gambling. It was rumored Las Vegas had her on speed dial. Whomever was sponsoring a trip to a casino knew to save her a seat.

After retiring Walter and Virginia found a love of travel, bought an RV, and traveled across the U.S. They were founding members of the US Club with over 100 African American motorhome owners, and again made lifelong friends. Virginia was a member of Mt. Ephram Baptist Church for over 40 years, and the Red Hat Ladies Social Club.

She leaves a son Kenneth, a sister Vivian, a grandson Jason, a great grandson Jaden (U.S. Army), and host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Family and friends are invited to her viewing will be on Jan.6th 2024, at the Robert E. Evans Funeral Home 16000 Annapolis rd., Bowie, Md. 20715

Services will be on Jan 6th, 2024, Mt Ephram Baptist Church 610 Largo, Rd. Kettering, Md. 20774

Interment with her husband in Arlington National Cemetery at 2:00PM on January 25, 2024