Virginia Shaver

Virginia Lee Shaver of Fort Smith, Arkansas went home to her Lord and Savior on June 5, 2022. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on September 7, 1930. She was married to the late William Neely Shaver III for 62 years. She received her education at Arkansas Tech University and taught at Sutton Elementary School in Fort Smith for over 20 years. She is remembered fondly for her teaching excellence and loving concern for each student by those who were in her classroom. She followed the lives and careers of several students and maintained a loving relationship with many throughout the years.

The granddaughter of Lutheran minister Adolph Kollmorgen, she lived out her strong faith as a devoted and active member of First Lutheran Church in Fort Smith for 65 years. She served on the boards of Evangelism and Parish Education, was a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, choir, numerous committees, prayer and quilting groups, taught Sunday School and oversaw fundraising and renovation projects as chair of the Church Preservation Committee.

She is survived by daughter Gayle Clutts and husband Keith of Fort Smith, daughter Terri Piazza and husband Tony of Overland Park, KS, son Mark Shaver and wife Janice of Fort Smith, daughter-in-law Becky Shaver of Fort Smith and half-brother Jack Baumgartner and wife Carolyn of Prairie Village, KS. Grandchildren are Kelly Schluterman and husband Chris, Emily Benoit and husband Mike, Jill Route and husband Josh, Rachel Reeves and husband Seth, Sarah Ray and husband Josh, Alex and Emma Piazza, Mark, John and Adam Shaver and nine great-grandchildren. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by son William N. Shaver IV and granddaughter Claire Schluterman.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 9, from 5-7:00 pm at Edwards Funeral Home, Fort Smith. Funeral will be Friday, June 10, at 9:00 am at First Lutheran Church with burial at Roselawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Mike Benoit, Alex Piazza, Tony Piazza, Josh Ray, Seth Reeves, Chris Schluterman, John Shaver, and Mark Shaver.

Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church Window Fund, 1115 N. D Street, Fort Smith, AR 72902.