Virginia Metcalfe Faulkner

Virginia Metcalfe Faulkner passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2020.

Virginia was born on August 14, 1921 in Cleo Springs, Oklahoma to the late Finis Bryan Metcalfe and Stella Williams Metcalfe. Virginia is predeceased by her husband, Command Sergeant Major John D. Faulkner, U.S. Army (Ret). In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by four of her five brothers: Jack, Robert, Joe and Lee.

Virginia is survived by her son, James D. Faulkner (Dottie), Hartwell, GA; her daughter, Carol F. Driver (Gerald), Athens, GA; her brother, Thomas L. Metcalfe, Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Donna Faulkner, Athens, GA, James D. Faulkner, Jr. (Debbie), Perry, GA, Jennifer D. Whalen (Charles), Athens, GA, Aimee D. Dean (Donnie), Jefferson, GA; great-grandchildren, Kayla Cook, Kristen Coleman, Ryan Faulkner, Rachel Faulkner, Coleman Whalen, Joshua Whalen, Chase Whalen, Jack Whalen and Virginia Dean; and great-great grandchildren, Brayden Coleman, Ashlyn Coleman and Finnegan Whalen; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Virginia lived in Oklahoma until the age of 15 when the drought and devastating Dust Bowl of Oklahoma forced her parents to pack up Virginia and her five younger brothers and move further west to Oregon. Virginia graduated from Turner High School, Turner, OR and Salem Hospital Nursing School in Salem, OR. It was during a Sunday outing on July 19, 1942 when Virginia and her friend, Marjorie Meyers went to the City Park in Salem that Virginia met her future husband, a young soldier from Georgia. John Faulkner swept her off her feet, and they were married less than four months later. Each year of their 65 years of marriage, they celebrated the day they met.

Virginia continued to live in Oregon while her husband served in the Pacific during World War II. While John was preparing for a beachhead landing on Leyte Island, Philippines, their son, James was born in Oregon. John returned to the US and was transferred to the DeWitt Hospital in Auburn, CA for almost a year of treatment of malaria and injuries sustained during his time in the Philippines.

Virginia and James moved from Oregon to California as she began her life as a military spouse who moved wherever her husband's military career required her to move. After his recovery, John continued his career in the Army and was transferred to Fort Lewis, WA where their daughter, Carol was born while John was on maneuvers. In 1948, the family moved to Alaska for sixteen months where John was stationed at Fort Richardson and Fort Greely. When John's assignments in Alaska ended, he drove the family down the Alaskan/ALCAN Highway from Alaska to the United States using his gas rationing coupons as well as coupons given to them by friends. After assignments at Fort Jackson, SC and Fort Bliss, TX, the family moved to Fort Gordon, GA where the family lived while awaiting John's return from assignments in Japan and two tours in Korea during the Korean Conflict. When he returned from Korea, the family moved to assignments at Ft. Campbell, KY, then Fort Jackson, SC then Fort Gordon, GA.

In 1956, John was assigned to Hardt Kaserne, Schwaebisch Gmuend, Germany. While John went ahead to his assignment, Virginia remained in Augusta, GA to sell their home, to decide which household goods would go with them and which would be placed in storage until they returned to the United States. She also purchased a new car (1956 Chevy Bel Air turquoise and white) and drove the children in the Chevy to New York City so that the car could be placed on a ship to Germany. A few days later, she and the children met the airplane that would take them via Newfoundland to meet John in Germany. After three years in Germany, the family returned to the U.S. on the USNS General Simon Buckner arriving in New York on May 10, 1960. John was assigned to Fort Jackson, SC where he retired two years later.

Often times, the bravery and perseverance of the military spouse is not considered, but the family of the soldier is often left to pack up, sell the home, get the children ready for a new school, and leave behind friends and family. Many times, the military spouse has to serve as both mother and father to their children. Virginia was very familiar with this routine as she cared for her family and fulfilled the duties of an Army wife.

When John retired from the U.S. Army, they built a home on acreage near Bowman, GA. Together, they raised Black Angus cattle and operated a manufactured home and construction business for many years. Gardening was an important hobby as they raised enough to share with family and friends.

Virginia was a member of Fork Creek Baptist Church in Bowman for 58 years and served in many capacities including Women's Sunday School teacher and biscuit maker for the Men's Monthly Breakfast. Even though Virginia was busy loving on her grandchildren and taking part in church activities, she found time to work as an Enumerator for the 1970 US Census and many times as an Elbert County Poll Worker.

The family thanks Talmage Terrace Personal Care for the care they provided. Special thanks to Sofia Minaya for her caregiving.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of services. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, November 3, at 3:00 p.m., in Hillcrest (Bowman City) Cemetery, Bowman, Elbert County, Georgia, located 0.5 miles southeast of Bowman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fork Creek Baptist Church, 1972 Fork Creek Circle, Bowman, GA 30624 or to Foundation of Wesley Woods, 1817 Clifton Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 (Please designate for Talmage Terrace/Lanier Gardens).

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Announcement courtesy of Berry Funeral Home.