Virginia came to know the Lord as her personal Savior in her early teen years. She graduated from Moody Bible Institute and later from Westmont College and then spent several years doing missionary work in Chile, South America. She married Philip Williams on June 9, 1962. She served the Lord beside her husband while he pastored churches and taught in seminaries in California and Texas before moving back to the Northwest.

Those who knew Virginia will remember her interest in serving others. Her home was often open to dinner guests. She loved to remember others with her kindness and encourage them over a cup of coffee. She was interested in the spiritual well-being of those who called her "friend." She accompanied her husband twice on mission trips to Bangladesh.

She taught at Tacoma Baptist Schools and Heritage Christian School before going to the International Christian School of Budapest, where she taught English and English as a second language.

A scholarship fund will be established in her memory at the International Christian School of Budapest, so that students may have the opportunity to hear the Good News of salvation. It was for that purpose that she spent her last years.

Farewell for Now

Do not stand by my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I have entered the portals of heaven above
To meet with my Savior whom I worship and love.
Lifted on angel wings my spirit soars
To take up my rest through those heavenly doors.
I do not enter on my boast or claim,
My only salvation is in Jesus' name.
To be with my King, the One I adore,
I am more alive now than ever before.
Do not stand by my grave and cry.
I am not there. I did not die.
Rejoice and praise with me instead;
You'll not find me among the dead.
The lessons of praise Jesus taught me on earth
Will now break forth in songs of His worth;
And time and space will be no more
As I continue my praise on heaven's shore.

-Barbara Newman