Virginia Cade Card

Virginia Elizabeth (Cade) Card entered into the presence of her Savior on April 10, 2018 at the age of 88, after valiantly battling Alzhemier’s for 15 years. She graduated from Chattanooga Central High School in 1947. Virginia met her soul mate and love of her life, Roy T. Card, in 1950 while he was playing horseshoes and she was working for the City of Chattanooga as a playground supervisor. They married on August 25, 1951 and had three children, Renee, Brian and Brad. Her lifelong devotion to her family, passion for serving those around her and commitment to the Lord and teaching others about Him, were the things that fueled her life’s fire. Virginia was generous, independent, strong, feisty and a true servant of God and others. You always knew where she stood and what she thought, and everyone admired and loved her for it. She lived deliberately, with purpose and passion.

Virginia lived life with enthusiasm. She possessed a tireless ability to “play” with her children and grandchildren, whether that was Bound Ball, hiking, softball, “tubing” or card games. Her enthusiasm for holidays was palpable. They were always filled with family games, incredible home cooking, heartfelt traditions and endless laughter and love, all because Virginia gave being with her family prime placement in her life.

Virginia was also an avid runner; and could even be caught one vacation running in the Colorado mountains, matching her high school granddaughter stride for stride.

Virginia’s life’s work was the countless hours she spent serving her community: as a volunteer for the Tennessee Deaf Services, as an interpreter, chauffer and friend, tutoring children as part of the READ Program and serving her church, First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in a myriad of ways.

Over 50 years of Virginia’s life were dedicated to her church. She began as the playground director at the Cumberland Youth Foundation (CYF) in 1959. Her desire was to provide a summer home for kids where they could play, be loved and taught the Word of God. She could be found all summer long, from morning to night, playing “Bound Ball” (a version of volleyball), leading Bible study, playing Spades, coaching girls’ softball and countless other activities. She helped thousands of young people improve their relationships with Christ over the years. These activities were consolidated into the CYF Day Players Program in 1986 and this program is still bettering the lives of children in 2018; over 200 children will call it home this summer.

Alzheimer’s took its toll on her body and mind, but couldn’t touch her heart or spirit. During the last 9 years of her fight, she was blessed to be in the loving and tireless care of her friend, Mary Kathryn Brooks. Her family is incredibly grateful for this priceless gift.

Virginia’s legacy is one of thousands of hearts filled, souls warmed and lives changed. In heaven and on earth, her light will always shine.

She is preceded in death by her parents, George & Elizabeth (Busnell) Cade, her daughter, Renee Card Monroe, and her great grandchildren, Reagan Elizabeth & Jaxson Stephen Cohen.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 66 ½ years, Roy T. Card, her two sons and daughter-in-laws, Brian & Terry Card (Chattanooga) and Brad & Paula Card (Hixson), her son-in-law, Charles Monroe (Ringgold), her grandchildren, Tiffany (Keith) Askew of Apison, Rachel (Brian) Cohen of Jericho, NY, Zach (Emily) Monroe of Ooltewah, Lucas (Kelly) Monroe of Ooltewah, Hannah (Matt) Davis of Hixson, Will (Mwende) Card of Chattanooga, Alex Card of Asheville, NC, Andrew Card of Chattanooga, and Laurel Card of Chattanooga. In addition, her legacy lives on in twelve surviving great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 15 from 2-5 pm at Chattanooga Funeral Home, located at 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. The Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, April 16 at 1 pm at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, located at 1505 North Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411. A graveside service will be held at Hamilton Memorial Gardens immediately following the service.

Because of Virginia’s love for and dedication to the Cumberland Youth Foundation, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to CYF, c/o First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 North Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411.