Virginia W. Johndrow

Virginia Wilson Johndrow passed away at her home in New Bern, NC on September 11, 2013. Born in Garber, Oklahoma on August 26, 1926, Virginia grew up on a farm. After high school, she joined her high school sweetheart, Melvin Johndrow in Berkley, CA. The two were married in 1945 and returned to Enid in 1947 where Melvin began his career with JCPenney. They have also lived in Shreveport, LA, Jackson, MS, Atlanta, GA and Virginia Beach, VA. Early in their marriage, Virginia and Melvin loved camping and fell in love with the water. She became an expert swimmer, skier and fisherwoman. She survived breast cancer in 1991, but continued traveling--including a white water rafting trip in Canada. Virginia is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Melvin Johndrow. She is survived by son Jack Johndrow and wife Kim of Advance; daughter Jenny Johndrow and husband John Chilton of Portsmouth, VA; son David Johndrow and wife Nancy of Raleigh; and son Jon Johndrow and wife Marcia of New Bern. Also surviving are granddaughter Heather Murphy and husband Scott of Chesapeake, VA, granddaughter Caroline Johndrow of Raleigh, and great-grandsons Noah and Will Murphy of Chesapeake, VA. In accordance with her wishes, a casual memorial service will be held at the family home, 216 Shoreline Dr. in New Bern on Saturday, September 28 at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Wildlife Foundation (nwf.org). The family wishes to thank Virginia’s caregivers and Community Hospice for her excellent care.