Virginia Crowder Williams

Virginia (Ginny) Crowder Williams of North Chesterfield County, VA, passed away peacefully at home on October 5, 2026. She was 97 years of age. Ginny was born in her maternal grandmother’s home in Warrenton, NC.

After graduating high school in Petersburg, VA, Ginny spent two years of college at Montreat College near Asheville, NC, and two years at Union Theological Seminary’s Assembly’s Training School (ATS), later named Presbyterian School of Christian Education (PSCE) in Richmond, VA. She graduated as a Director of Christian Education (DCE). Ginny worked as a DCE for a church in South Carolina before moving back to Petersburg, VA, to care for her mother (father deceased). Ginny became responsible for supervising the Pioneer youth group at Second Presbyterian Church in Petersberg, VA (familiarly referred to as “Second Pres”).

At Second Pres Ginny met her future husband, Art Williams, who had been invited to serve as a student minister for the summer of 1953. They were married at Second Pres in 1954. Later in her marriage, Ginny confided that as a teenager she had stated she would never marry a minister. Well, she did and what a wonderful minister’s wife she was - gracious host with an attentive, loving and calming presence, dedicated Sunday School teacher, long-term Circle member and leader, church youth group leader, Ruling Elder, and choir member. Ginny had learned to play the piano as a child; she loved music and singing as a soprano. Art often recounts first seeing Ginny singing with the choir in the balcony of Second Pres, her beautiful red hair framed by a large brimmed white hat.

Ginny relished music performances, especially those of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family members and friends. She was always singing along if she knew the words, humming along if not, moving to the music and directing with her hands.

Ginny also enjoyed sewing and embroidering, was enchanted by flowers and flower arrangements, and delighted in the various artistic creations of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

In addition to being a minister’s wife, Ginny was a stay-at-home Mom, a homemaker, a great cook and a childcare resource for grandchildren. She maintained an immaculate manse/home, always ready to host scheduled and unscheduled visits by church members and others in the community. Ginny kept homemade cookies in the freezer to thaw and serve to impromptu visitors.

Furthermore, Ginny worked in various communities as church secretary, in retail and in providing childcare. She was the typist for Art’s doctoral dissertation in Theology. Ginny was instrumental in starting a Senior community center and a Meals on Wheels program in one of her communities.

Ginny is survived by Art, her husband of 72 years, her children Harlan (Kristi), Don (Vicki) and Jean, her grandchildren, Mason (Hyewon), Maggie (Jesse), Jonathan, Arielle and Viggo and her great grandchildren, Sterling and Aselin.

In her later years Ginny required special care in order to live at home with Art. We are all grateful that her grandchildren Arielle and Viggo became fulltime caregivers to make that possible for her.

A funeral service open to all will take place at Southminster Presbyterian Church on October 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at a later time at Blanford Cemetery in Petersburg, VA.