Virginia L. Risdon

Virginia Lee Risdon was born on March 29th, 1920, in Catlett, Virginia to Guy and Pearl (Cogan) Thompson. They moved to Washington, D.C. when she was quite young. Virginia grew up in the North East section of D.C., where she attended North Eastern High School. While still in her teens, she met the love of her life, Walter F. Risdon. They dated for several years, and were married on February 10, 1944. Virginia and Walter moved to Jefferson Village in Falls Church, VA in 1946, along with their first daughter, Linda. Virginia became very involved in the citizen’s association for Jefferson Village, helping with community gatherings such as Fourth of July and Halloween. She also became the leader of a Brownie troop. One of the highlights of her leadership was taking this group of girls to New York City. Her other activities included a spectacular garden of fresh vegetables that she planted and maintained, and shared with her neighbors; sledding parties for kids and adults during snowstorms, and working as a poll judge during elections. She loved being active in her community, Virginia adored her family which had now grown with the birth of her second daughter, Tammy. She enjoyed spending time with them, attending recitals, sports events, the annual Risdon Christmas Cookie Bake, trips to Colonial Beach, VA to visit grandparents, and any family milestone. Virginia was very much a people person. She was generous and loving. If she was your friend, you had a friend forever. Through notes, cookies, telephone calls and giving of her time and support you felt her love and friendship. And even in her 100’s, she kept contact with friends to make sure they were doing okay. Virginia loved her Lord and faithfully read her Bible every day. She joined Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. in 1933 where she was baptized, and moved her membership to Columbia Baptist in Falls Church in1946. She and Walter worked with young people. They were also part of a group of young married couples, which she often called “one of the happiest times of my life.” In 1951, they left Columbia to help with a start-up church, Boulevard Baptist, where Virginia served as the director of Vacation Bible School for several years. In 1965, they returned to Columbia Baptist where Virginia worked on the kitchen committee, and was President of the Women’s Missionary Union. In 1971, her “Walter” died suddenly of a heart attack. Virginia was left to take care of 4 elderly parents and her youngest daughter. Over the years, Virginia continued with community activities and church work. One of her greatest joys was serving as the head of the eyeglass team for CrossLink International, a humanitarian ministry providing medicines and medical supplies for Christian missionaries. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Walter F. Risdon. She is survived by her daughters, Linda L. Cook of Mansfield, TX, and Tammy Waitsman (Larry) of Fairfax, VA, grandchildren, Kristina Aldridge (John) of Arlington, TX, Douglas Cook (Janine) of Strawberry Plains, TN, Andrew Waitsman (Alicia) of Gaithersburg, MD, and Jay Waitsman of Lorton, VA, great-grandchildren, Micah Cook (Danyel) of Holly Springs, NC, Caleb Cook of St. Augustine, FL, Jessica Aldridge and Molly Aldridge of Arlington, TX, Erin Pracht of Manassas, VA, and Ben Waitsman of Gaithersburg, MD. A celebration service will be held Monday, September 30th at 11:00 am in the chapel at Columbia Baptist Church. https://maps.app.goo.gl/3AfUntBHHdia2vsC7 . In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Crosslink Memphis. Donations can be accepted at https://www.crosslinkmemphis.org/financial-donations/ or checks can be mailed to: Crosslink Memphis, 1662 Shelby Oaks Dr. N, Memphis, TN 38134.