Virginia P. Hafkemeyer

Virginia was born on February 18, 1933, to Effie and PW Payne in Barnard, NC. After graduating from Crossnore in 1951, she attended Draughons Business College in Knoxville until 1952. After graduation, she landed her first job at Breneman Hartshorn, where she remained until she married.

Through Jim Silver, a cousin stationed at Pope AFB, she met George Hafkemeyer, an airman fresh back from Korea, in 1953. They maintained a long-distance relationship until they wed on March 5, 1955, in Charlotte, NC. They had four children and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary shortly before George’s death in 2015.

Traveling across the United States and through Europe, Virginia dedicated her life to being a supportive military wife and dedicated mother, seeking employment when conditions permitted. Her last job was in the American Embassy in Bonn. She loved her children, putting their needs before her own. Always thinking of others, those she knew remarked how she rarely forgot a birthday or special event, marking it with a card.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, George, her mother Effie, step-mother Hassie, father PW Payne, brothers Gary and Earl Payne, and her sister, Sally Burleson. She is survived by her brother James Payne, sisters Betty Williamson, Zola Idol, Dorris Owenby, and her children Michael Hafkemeyer of Benson Az., Deborah Fobell of Vail Az., Kathryn and Kim Martinez of Marana Az., and James and Donna Hafkemeyer of Greensboro NC. Virginia had 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, and all of us will miss her.

Virginia and George’s love of the desert and its warmth factored into choosing Tucson as their retirement location. They were very fond of the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum and frequently took visiting family there to enjoy the wonders of the Arizona desert. In remembrance of this, and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to www.desertmuseum.org/donate

A graveside service for Virginia will be held Wednesday, April 27, 2022 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at East Lawn Palms Cemetery, 5801 East Grant Road, #C, Tucson, AZ 85712.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastlawnpalmsmortuary.com for the Hafkemeyer family.