Virginia Baker Sanford

Virginia Baker Sanford died from natural causes a few weeks shy of 101 years young on August 7, 2020 while under hospice care at her daughter’s home in Manassas, Virginia, surrounded by family members. Virginia Roberta Baker was born on August 24, 1919 in Alexandria, Virginia to her parents Roberta Ann Mitchell and George Thomas Baker. She grew up in that city, graduating from George Washington High School in 1937. Virginia (“Ginny”) married H. Walker Sanford on June 20, 1943 in Cheyenne, Wyoming where Walker was undergoing training for flying transport planes in the Pacific theatre during World War II. As a loving mother and devoted wife, Virginia first managed a household in California during the war. Afterwards, she and Walker were among the first Americans stationed in Japan. With a growing family and changing U.S. Air Force duties for her husband, Virginia raised her family in Virginia, Hawaii, West Virginia, and again in Northern Virginia (Fairfax County). She and Walker spent the latter years of their retirement in Gordonsville, Virginia. She had been a resident of the Westminster-Lake Ridge retirement community in Prince William County since 2009. Her impressive life exuded strength, spirit, humor and kindness to all. Virginia retained an impressive memory throughout her adult life, which informed many of her personal and family stories. She treasured time with her family especially over the 40 plus years of vacations on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She was an avid bridge player and reader. Her husband taught her how to play gin rummy when they were first married and they played it throughout their 68 years of marriage. She loved fashion and shopping especially for shoes! She enjoyed plays and movies. Her sweet smile and loving nature will be missed by everyone who knew her. Preceding Virginia in death were her parents, Roberta Baker Cheseldine and George Baker; her loving husband, Walker Sanford (in 2011); and, son-in-law, Mark Woodruff. She is survived by their four children, Sandra Roberta Babylon (Chet), Mary Ellen Anderson (Ron); Douglas Walker Sanford (Judy), and, Carol Leslie Woodruff. Additional surviving family members include grandchildren Tracy Carol Babylon, Kerry Ann Babylon, and Sarah Dickinson Sanford; and, great grandchildren Eric Eckley (Caryn Seward-Eckley) and Linda Eckley Cowan (Nick). Upon cremation, Virginia will join her husband Walker in the Graham Cemetery in Orange, Virginia. For those seeking to make a donation in Virginia’s memory, the family suggests the Orange County Humane Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, Vitas Healthcare in Manassas (Hospice), or the charity of your choice.

Virginia Baker Sanford

August 24, 1919 - August 7, 2020