Virginia Carper

VIRGINIA SPEIDEN CARPER, age 96 of Manassas, VA died Saturday, April 30, 2005 at Prince William Hospital, Manassas. She was born and had lived her whole life in Manassas. Mrs. Carper had been a member of Manassas Baptist Church and was the church organist for over 50 years. She played the organ for hundreds of worship services, weddings and funerals, and served the church in many other capacities. She was a 1930 graduate of Hollins College and had received a Bachelor of Music degree. Mrs. Carper taught piano and organ to generations of students and from recital records determined that she had taught a thousand students to play. She continued teaching up until 1999, when she was ninety years of age. She had been a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy for 80 years, having joined at the young age of 16. Other memberships include the Woman's Club of Manassas, which she served as president on two different occasions and was honored to be the first club sponsored music teacher for Prince William County. She was also a member of the Manassas Museum Associates, working to establish the Manassas Museum. Mrs. Carper was the founder of the Manassas Community Concert Association, serving as an officer for much of the organizations 38 year history. She presented an annual award to a deserving firefighter from the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company in memory of her father, who served as the first president of the company. For her ninety-fifth birthday, she received a plaque from the Fire Company naming her as an honorary captain. Mrs. Carper was married for 60 years to the late Lewis J. Carper who was the former Treasurer for the Town of Manassas. He died in 1997. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Albert Speiden and Effie Nelson Speiden. Mr. Speiden was a noted architect who designed the original Manassas City Hall and the Hopkins Candy Factory, as well as other buildings. Survivors include nieces, nephews, cousins, very special caregivers, along with many loving friends. Family will receive friends from 2-4 & 7-9 PM, Wednesday, May 4, 2005 at Price Funeral Home, 9609 Center St., Manassas. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Thursday, May 5, 2005 at Manassas Baptist Church, 8800 Sudley Rd., Manassas. Interment will follow at Manassas City Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. Pallbearers will be Dan Verner, Wes Herrington, Donald Darby, Dr. Claude Hylton, Ricky Ratcliffe, Robert Wine and Junior Roseberry. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Manassas Fire Department. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of flowers or contributions to the Manassas Animal Shelter, 10039 Dean Drive, Manassas, VA 20110 or to the Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas, VA 20110 in memory of Virginia Speiden Carper. Condolences may be sent to www.pricefh.com

Virginia Carper

October 22, 1908 - April 30, 2005