Virginia Richards Weaver

Virginia Richards Weaver was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the daughter of Harold Linn Richards and Dorothy Louise Fidler. She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, William B. “Bill” Weaver, sister Dorothy Daniels, and brother Harold Richards. She is survived by her nieces, Teresa Richards Jacobs (Paul), Rhonda Lee (Richards) Lother (William), Virginia Diane Dent, Mary Daniels Rogers (Paul), Alan Beacham Daniels (Meg), and Lawrence Waren Daniels. Other survivors include Bill’s nieces and nephew Robin Walker-Faircloth (Mike), William “Dean” Walker (Bobbie), and Cherié Walker as well as great-grandnieces and -nephews.

Virginia retired in 1991 as Curriculum Director of the Dalton Public School System. During her 31 years with the system, she was instrumental in many advancements and achievements, including director of the summer Head Start Program, developing the Lead Teacher Program, obtaining accreditation for Dalton Public Schools from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, guidance counselor testing, special education teachers aids, gifted education, and certification renewal of the kindergarten program.

Virginia served on several committees for the Georgia Department of Education, including planning the Georgia Scholars Program, establishing new graduation requirements, and working with State Standards. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, where she served as president and secretary. She also served as district president and secretary for the Georgia Association of Curriculum and Instructional Supervision. She served three terms as chairman of the Northwest Georgia Regional Education Service Area curriculum directors. She was also a member of the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, and Kappa Delta Pi, an honorary organization promoting excellence in the field of education, which awarded her the 1974 Award for Excellence as an Administrator. She was named Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders in 1990.

Virginia was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. In 1966, Virginia and Bill were the first couple to be married in the new church building. She served on the vestry, altar guild, Pre-school Board, and on the search committee for the church organ. Virginia was involved in many community activities, including serving on the board of the American Red Cross—twice as chairman and recognized with the Volunteer of the Year award—Phoenix High School, Economic Opportunity Authority, Community Action Agency, Looper Speech and Hearing Clinic, and Whitfield Community Development Association. She was also a member of the Dalton-Whitfield-Murray Retired Educators. Virginia held degrees from Wheaton College in Chicago, Peabody College of Vanderbilt, and the University of Georgia, where she earned her EdS. She began her teaching career in Rome, Georgia, before joining the Dalton Public School System. Virginia loved entertaining friends, travel, and spending time with family. She leaves behind a legacy of selfless service to the community and unconditional love of her family.

A memorial service will be held on August 29 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Dalton, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Northwest Georgia Community Foundation or St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.