Virginia Lee Beamer Spraker passed away the evening of May 17, 2012.
Born Aug. 29, 1924 in Woodlawn, the daughter of P.B. and Annie Beamer, she was married in 1946 to Norris Brown Spraker.
A teacher by nature, Virginia spent the better part of her life in her third grade classroom at Jefferson Elementary School. She carried forward a family tradition in education that began with her grandfather Marshall and her nine siblings – eight of whom were teachers – influencing the future of hundreds of students. That tradition continues with their children and grandchildren who teach today.
Virginia graduated from Radford College in 1945 with a degree in education. An avid golfer, Virginia enjoyed playing with her husband, Norris, and friends at Thornspring Country Club. She was a long time member of First United Methodist Church in Pulaski.
She is survived by her children, Mike Spraker and wife, Dana, of Pulaski; Brenda Spraker Derrick and husband, Garry, of Durham, N.C., and Richard Spraker and wife, Patricia, of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; grandchildren, Jessie Spraker Woods, Jody Spraker Pozen, Ashley and Jennifer Derrick, Carson and Ally Spraker, Logan, Trystan, Dillan, and Trevor and Trenna Howell; two great-grandchildren, Miller and Nora Woods, and sisters, Irene Melton of Greensboro, N.C., Hattie Landis and Pearl Davis of Covington.
Visitation will be held at Stevens Funeral Home in Pulaski Saturday, May 19, 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to
Pulaski County Public Schools Education Foundation
202 North Washington Ave., Pulaski, VA 24301.
Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski.
Sabrina Hamm
August 18, 2012 at 1:39 am
Mrs. Spraker was my third grade teacher and had a huge impact on my life. I am almost 45 years old and I can still remember what she said to me. She said “open your mind and learn to read, a book can take you any where you want to go.” I didn’t understand what she was saying at the time but I never forgot and now I cherish those words. God bless you Mrs.Spraker and thank you for teaching me to read!