Virginia Davis
Virginia was born on Jan. 26, 1927, in Las Vegas, Nev., to her proud parents, Nolan C. and Hazel M. Craver. Nolan was a physical education teacher and coach at Las Vegas High School. Longing to return to the Midwest, the family relocated to Crawfordsville, Ind., in 1928.
When Virginia was 13, they moved to Homer, where she graduated from Homer High School in 1945. Virginia's maternal grandfather, Louis V. Jurgensmeyer, was a lifelong Homer businessman and farmer who served as mayor for many terms.
Following high school, Virginia went to MacMurray College, Jacksonville, where she majored in art. She met a handsome World War II Air Force pilot, Capt. Robert Davis, at church and she invited him to a dance at MacMurray. They were married two years later at Homer United Methodist Church on June 30, 1948.
Virginia and Bob were both active members of the Homer community for over 50 years. They owned and operated Big D Seed Farm for many years. Virginia was the consummate volunteer! Whether she was leading an organization at Homer United Methodist Church, cooking for Lions Club, leading the MYF youth group, serving as a Girl Scout leader, volunteering in the gift shop at Burnham Hospital or leading a committee for the Homer Women's Club, everyone knew that she would be providing kind and loving leadership to all she met along the way.
Virginia had many hobbies. She enjoyed working in her garden, knitting, doing crafts, going to the movies, being with her friends and family and playing bridge. She was a passionate, lifelong fan of Illini basketball and football. She and Bob loved to ballroom dance. They danced for decades and enjoyed the friendships that they made while doing something they loved to do. Virginia was an excellent cook who prepared and served many delicious meals over the years at her home, her cottage and her church, all with loving care and compassion.
Traveling was also a passion. For over 65 years, Virginia enjoyed spending time in Door County, Wis., with her family and friends at the family cottage. In addition, she and Bob traveled to Europe, took wonderful sailing trips in the Caribbean and spent several months at their home in Venice, Fla., during the cold Illinois winters. Since 1970, Virginia drove to Wisconsin to visit her daughter's family nearly every six weeks, as recently as Christmas 2012.
At the age of 64, Virginia started her Mary Kay business. She proudly served her Mary Kay customers for 22 years, making her last deliveries in June 2013. Her customers and her colleagues became dear friends.
In 2001, Virginia and Bob moved to Savoy. Virginia remained close to her Homer friends, while making new friends in the Champaign-Urbana community. She and Bob joined Faith United Methodist Church in Champaign in 2001. After Bob's death in 2003, Virginia immersed herself into volunteerism.
At Faith, she worked with the Youth Club and other church groups. Cunningham Children's Home was another special place where she volunteered, helping those in need. At the time that Virginia was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in March 2013, she was still volunteering as an usher at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and driving "old people" to the doctor several times a week. She was an active member of the Art Needle Club in Homer, played bridge in various bridge clubs and continued helping at Faith United Methodist Church.
Virginia is survived by her three children, Georgiana Giese Schwandt (Michael) of Portage, Wis., Nancy Kurre (Joe) of Hollywood, Fla., and Bill Davis (Mary) of Ogden. In addition, she leaves six grandchildren, Chris Giese (Abby), Pete Giese (Jacqueline), Chas Prange, Rob Prange (Susan), Alicia Kolton (Neil) and Elaine Davis (Aaron Shelksohn). Two great-grandchildren, Connor Davis Giese and Kendall Paige Giese, will dearly miss their Great-Grandma Davis who loved them deeply. Virginia's brother, Nolan C. Craver Jr. and his family, also mourn her passing as well as many, many friends of all ages.
A private inurnment service will take place at the Jurgensmeyer family mausoleum at the Homer GAR Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family in celebrating Virginia's life at Faith United Methodist Church, 1719 S. Prospect Ave., Champaign, at 3:30 p.m. July 19, 2013. Guests are asked to share memories and bring favorite photos of Virginia. Following the service, attendees are invited to visit with the family at the church and enjoy refreshments.
Virginia requested that memorials in her memory be made to Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana. Even in her passing, she continues to help others.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Meadowbrook at Clark-Lindsey Village for the loving care and concern for Virginia during her brief stay there. Virginia's love and kindness made the world a better place. She set an example for her family and community on how to love, how to serve and how to treat others. We love you and will miss you forever. Kirby Funeral Home in Homer is in charge of arrangements.
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