Virginia Spell Perry

Virginia Spell Perry, 81, of Virginia Beach Virginia passed away peacefully February 11, 2022. She was born to Odessa McKinnon December 12, 1940 in Douglas, Georgia, one of seven children. She was predeceased by her husband, Ronald Perry, who passed away in 2013. She was the devoted mother of three children, Wendell Spell (Pamela), Jody Stearns (William Michael), and Gary Spell (Jennifer Lynn). She also had an “adopted” daughter, Charity Carpenter (Tom). Virginia is also survived by her younger sister, Linda Cothern. She had eleven grandchildren: Erin Raffray, Michael Spell, Bradley Bentz, Katie Rae Bode, Kyle Bentz, Grace, Judah & Josiah Spell, Jade, Crystal & Logan Carpenter. She also boasted ten great-grandchildren, Caleb, Sophia & Lillian Claire Raffray, Finn & Oliver Spell, Callahan & Quinn Caroline Bode, Arayiah, Greyson & Stella Rae Bentz. Virginia worked her way from a clerk typist at the Naval Aviation Rework Facility (NARF) to the Head of the Safety Department, having graduated from Columbia Southern University with her PhD in Occupational Safety & Health Engineering. She received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 1996. After the command was closed by in 1996, she concluded a stellar career at the Sewells Point Safety office, retiring in 2002. Virginia was a Born-again Christian and she truly loved the Lord and her church, London Bridge Baptist Church. She loved sharing the Gospel with anyone she met. She had a vivid and colorful personality, was a relentless optimist, and had an infectious laugh. Her own background made her the champion of underdogs everywhere. She was loved deeply and will be missed terribly by all who knew her. A viewing will be held at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, 4889 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 from 5 to 7 PM on Friday, February 18, 2022. The funeral will be held at London Bridge Baptist Church, 2460 Potters Road, Virginia Beach VA 23452 on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 10 AM followed by an interment at Princess Anne Memorial Gardens at 12 PM.