Virginia Shirley Minter Calhoun

ALEXANDER - Virginia Shirley Minter Calhoun was born September 18, 1926, in Richmond, Virginia and died October 1, 2026, in Alexander, North Carolina. Growing up on a farm in Bruington, Virginia, she learned to milk dairy cows by hand at age four and was her father’s companion for all the farm chores. She loved animals, plants and children and they gave her joy. No stray animal went hungry and there was always room for one more person at the dinner table.

T.A. Calhoun, her much loved husband, and their daughter, Barbara Gayle Strawn, died before she did and left her with grief from their deaths and gratitude for their lives.

She is survived by daughter Peggy Hester (Michael), grandchildren Genevieve Hollowell (Michael), Megan Maguire (Michael), Alison Schwartz (David), and Adam Hester (Michelle), great-grandchildren Matthew Maguire, Mason Maguire, Mead Maguire, Madeline Maguire, Aidan Schwartz, Colby Schwartz, Ashley Hester, and Clancy Hester.

She leaves behind grand stories and a history that will inform and influence her friends and family for years to come. She was a small person who loomed large in presence.

Growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, her life was a living connection for her family to this time of great challenge and change. Her physical strength (she cut her own grass into her nineties), and her strength of character and kindness were hallmarks for her life. She will be a part of all who loved her in memory with thanksgiving for her life.

“Go in peace, go in kindness, go in love, go in faith, leave the day, the day behind us, day is done, go in grace, let us go into the dark, not afraid, not alone, let us hope by some good pleasure safely to arrive at home, let us hope by some good pleasure safely to arrive at home.”   Sam Baker

A Graveside Service will be held in Riverview Memorial Gardens, Valdosta, Georgia at 3 o’clock on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. A Memorial service will be held later at a yet to be determined date in Alexander, North Carolina.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving Mrs. Calhoun’s family during this time.