Crawley - Virginia "Ginny" Meadows died at her home in Crawley, WV, on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the age of 95. She died peacefully in the presence of her loving sister, Margaret, her granddaughter, Kathryn, and her caregiver of six years, Karen.

Ginny was born on "Walkup Mountain" in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, on July 22, 1927, to the late Mary Gertrude Walkup Bryant and Jesse Bryan Bryant.

In 1946, during her senior year at Rupert High School, Ginny was recruited by the All-American Red Heads, one of the first professional women's basketball teams. Her father insisted she needed a college education and she went on to graduate from Concord College and West Virginia University. While at Concord College, Ginny met her husband of seventy-four years, Al Meadows, who preceded her in death by seven months.

She is survived by her son James Meadows (Creta) of Crawley, her daughter, Linda Dare Sweeney (Tom) of South Charleston, her grandson William Stephen Sweeney of Portland, Oregon, her granddaughter, Kathryn Dare Sweeney, of Apex, North Carolina, and her sister Margaret Bryant Chance of Richmond, Indiana.

In addition to immediate family, Ginny has many relatives that consider her home "the heart" of the family. There was always a warm greeting and a delicious home cooked meal for anyone who happened to stop by. Her smile and gracious hospitality will be missed.

Ginny loved being behind the camera and was the unofficial photographer for the Rupert Fling, as well as various high school and family reunions. She also enjoyed helping the Women's Club serve dinners at the Rupert Community Center. Ginny taught mathematics and physical education for over thirty years at Shady Springs, Rupert, and Rainelle High Schools. Her students remember her for her enthusiasm and desire to see they were provided opportunities to develop their talents. For several years she directed summer programs at YMCA Camp Horseshoe in Tucker County. Those summers provided her with many fond memories and lasting friendships.

Ginny's funeral service will be at 2:00 pm Friday, February 17, at Smathers Funeral Chapel in Rainelle, West Virginia. The family will receive friends one hour before the service from 1-2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Virginia's name to the Meadow River Valley Association. This organization is involved in efforts to repurpose the former Rupert School into a facility to serve the community. Donations may be made in person at the City National Bank in Rainelle (simply mention Meadow River Valley Association) or be mailed to MRVA, 732 Main Street, Suite 1, Rainelle, WV 25962 to the attention of Matt Ford.

Per Ginny's request, her cremains will be interred next to her husband in the Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville, at a later time.