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DURHAM, NC – Virginia D. Spruill (Gin), 87, went home to be with the Lord in Durham, North Carolina on Monday, February 28, 2022.

Virginia was born in Rich Square, North Carolina on December 26, 1934, to her mother, Edna Taylor Downing. She was an only child and was raised for most of her childhood in the loving home of her grandparents, Indiana and Tossie Taylor, Sr., both deceased, along with her uncle, Tossie “Jack” Taylor, Jr. – d. She and Jack were inseparable, and it was in that home that Virginia blossomed, gaining confidence, excelling in school, and learning to be a ferocious advocate for those in need. She attended W.S. Creecy Elementary and High School in Northampton County.

She met the love of her life, Charles T. Spruill – d., prior to heading off to college at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Virginia and Charles married shortly after she graduated in 1958 from NCCU with a Bachelor of Science, major-Physical Education, and minor-Education. Virginia worked as a social worker in New York City and in North Carolina until her retirement in 1997. Virginia worked as a social worker in New York City and in North Carolina until her retirement in 1997. While living in the Bronx, New York, they had a son, Darian Thomas Spruill – d. in 1962. In the early 1970’s, the family moved back to Rich Square, NC and settled in what would be the family home for many years.

After Charles passed in 1996, Virginia continued advocating to improve peoples’ lives by becoming politically active. A bona fide trailblazer, she pursued and won a seat as a Northampton County Commissioner in 2000 and remained the people’s choice for 16 years, eventually becoming Chairwoman. Virginia eventually retired and lived a most comfortable life in Rich Square. In recent years, her medical issues prompted a move to the Durham area to be closer to her medical professionals and nearby family.

Left to cherish Virginia’s memory, quiet compassion and dignified manner are her granddaughter, Cameron N. Spruill and daughter-in-law, Karen M. Spruill (Darian T. Spruill – d.) of Mitchellville, MD; her close cousins, Percy “Nip” Lassiter, Jr. (Gwen Lassiter – d.) of Rich Square, NC and Cedric Taylor and his wife, Donna-Marie Winn of Hillsborough, NC; her aunt, Joyce Taylor (Tossie Taylor, Jr. – d.) of Oxford, NC; and a host of loving Grant, Taylor, and Spruill family members, friends and colleagues throughout the country.

The family will receive visitors at Wilder’s Funeral Home located at 921 South Main Street, Rich Square, NC during the wake on Friday, March 11 from 2:00–5:00 pm (ET). A short program celebrating Virginia’s life will begin at 5:00 pm (ET). Those unable to attend can view a live stream of the program on Zoom Meeting ID: 956-515-7060. Visitors are required to wear masks and social distance. The funeral service will be private.

The family is thankful to all those who have reached out with comforting words and gestures of love. If you would like to donate to the NCCU Social Work Program, please use the link below to continue Virginia’s legacy in support of her HBCU and the wonderful young people who continue to pursue degrees in social work. Please add “In Honor of Virginia Spruill” in the comments box.

https://www.nccu.edu/institutional-advancement/giving-online