Virginia F. Randolph, 89 of Indiana, died peacefully at her home, Thursday, May 7, 2015. Born April 23, 1926, in Murrysville, she was a daughter of the late Russell Edward Randolph and Edith (Lorenz) Randolph.

A graduate of Indiana High School, Virginia received a BS in Elementary Education from Indiana State Teachers College in 1948. She later earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from IUP in 1958.

For 45 years she taught at the Horace Mann Elementary School in the Indiana Area School District, where she taught a first grade class. Virginia also taught reading and spelling to second and third graders. During her career she also worked with more than 200 student teachers from IUP.

Virginia was a member of Grace United Methodist Church where she taught summer Bible School following her retirement. She was a charter member of the Order of Eastern Star, Aluminum City Chapter # 543, Lower Burrell and a member of The Order of Amaranth Queen Christina Court # 123, Indiana.

She belonged to the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees and Central P.S.E.A.R. and was a member of the AARP Evergreen Chapter 2581. Virginia was a life member of the Indiana Hospital Auxiliary. She belonged to the Business and Professional Women’s Club; was a past advisor to the Rainbow Girls Chapter 111; was a past president of Alpha Delta Kappa, the international sorority for women educators (PA MU Chapter); and was past president of the Indiana Reading Council. She also belonged to the Indiana Garden Club and enjoyed helping with May Mart.

Virginia volunteered with Christian Counseling Services; Meals on Wheels; as a front desk assistant at the Indiana County Courthouse and as a desk assistant at Indiana Hospital.

She was named the 1997 Woman Civic Leader of the Year by the Junior Women’s Civic Club. Virginia was awarded Teacher of the Year in 1967 by Quota International of Indiana. In 1976 she was named an Outstanding Leader in Elementary Education.

Virginia will be lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephews: Kim (Neely) Busija; Merrie Beth Neely; Judy (Sewak) McCosby; Karen (Sewak) Quilantang; Robert Neely; David Randolph; Frederick Randolph and several great nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and the following siblings: Frederick and Harry Randolph; Betty Jane (Randolph) Sewak and Elsie (Randolph) Neely. She was also preceded in death by her fiancé, John Bracken.

Her family would like to thank her loving caregivers, who made her comfortable at home, Toni, Suzanne, Shani and Mimi.

Friends will be received Sunday, May 10th from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Indiana. Her funeral service will begin Monday morning at 11 o’clock at the funeral home. Pastor Pastor Kathy Mihoerck will officiate. Interment will be at the Oakland Cemetery, Indiana.

Memorial donations may be made to the "Foundation for IUP" and reference for Miss Virginia Randolph Scholarship. Mailed to: FIUP, 103 Sutton Hall, IUP, Indiana, PA 15705.

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