Virginia “Ginny” McWilliams was born June 15, 1937, in Panama, Republic of Panama to Captain David M. McLaren of Dedham, Massachusetts and Elsie E. (Werrey) McLaren of Southampton, England. Virginia’s father served as a Ship’s Pilot on the Panama Canal in the Canal Zone. Virginia “Ginny” and her two older sisters, Edith and Phyllis, grew up in Balboa, Panama and attended Canal Zone Government schools until the passing of their father, at which time, Virginia and her mother moved to Orlando, Florida.
Ginny graduated from William R Boone High School, Orlando, FL in 1954. She attended the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama, graduating with a degree in Education. She obtained a Master’s Degree in Education in 1971.
Virginia and John McWilliams were college sweethearts and married May 31, 1957. In 1964 they settled into what became their lifelong home in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Virginia initially taught at a Head Start program that served low-income families, preparing pre-school children for elementary school. The majority of Virginia’s teaching career was spent educating fifth graders at R. E. Thompson Elementary School. She retired in 1995 after 30 years of dedicated service to generations of children. Long after retiring, Virginia enjoyed being approached around Tuscumbia by adults saying, “Do you remember me? You taught me in fifth grade. You were my favorite teacher!”
Ginny was a member of Tuscumbia First Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and served on several committees. She was a dedicated member of the ladies prayer group and served in the kitchen over the years for many events. Ginny also enjoyed cooking, sewing and crafting for most of her life. She knitted lovely afghans and sewed many beautiful clothes for her young granddaughters.
Jesus welcomed Virginia to her eternal home on September 20th, 2023.
Virginia was the devoted mother of Beth (McWilliams) van Waveren (Pete), Jo (McWilliams) Hagan (Allen), and Lee McWilliams (Michelle). She was the proud grandmother of Beth and Pete’s daughters, Skylar van Waveren (Barrett Hudson) and Carly van Waveren; Jo and Allen’s daughters, Jessica Hagan (Nathan Stanton) and Allison Hagan; and Lee and Michelle’s daughters, Tori Schoultz, and Hali Schoultz.
The family will hold a private graveside service at Barton Cemetery in Barton, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Tuscumbia’s First Methodist Church would be appreciated.
