1938 - 2024

Virginia Esther Foy Erickson was born February 15, 1938, the second oldest of eight children. She passed into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 85 on February 12, 2024.

Virginia was born and lived life in Escondido, California. She attended Central Elementary School from kindergarten through eighth grade, and Escondido Union High School, graduating in 1956. Virginia was led to the Lord as a child by her mother. She was a member of Emmanuel Faith Community Church. She was active in the area of children’s ministries which included teaching Sunday School and leading Church Time for 2- and 3-year-olds, Vacation Bible School, and working in the baby nursery.

Virginia and Chuck were married on July 20, 1957, at Emmanuel Faith Community Church where they met when Chuck’s family moved to Escondido in 1954. They had three children: Daniel Raymond, Marylou Diane and Andrew Charles, and adopted Rebecca Wilhelmina who came to them as a foster child. When Andy was six years old, Virginia and Chuck became foster parents caring for 55 children, most of them newborn babies through the adoption agency for almost 20 years.

In 1984, Virginia went back to school taking a course in Medical Records and went to work at Redwood Terrace Retirement Center working the Heath Center as Medical Records Designee. Over the 20 years, she enjoyed working in many different areas and retired after 20 years to take care of her supervisor’s baby three days a week.

In September 2006, she and her husband moved to Canton and joined Lakeside Baptist Church in December of that year. Virginia enjoyed working with Awana Cubbies and was a board member of S.T.A.R. S. (Seniors Taking an Active Role in Service). Both she and Chuck enjoyed attending the monthly Fellowship meetings, day trips and Branson Jubilee trips. Virginia had a very real heart for Operation Christmas Child not only collecting items for the shoeboxes, always watching for items on sale year-round, and crocheting caps which all the children love no matter the weather where they live, but it is a real opportunity to reach these children and their families for Christ with the Greatest Journey that is offered with each shoebox. She also crocheted small blankets for babies at the Hope Pregnancy Center in Canton.

Virginia is preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Chief” Erickson; parents: Elwood and Frances Foy; inlaws: William and Florence Erickson; daughter-in-law, Rachel Erickson; brother, Tom Foy; brothers-in-law: William and JoAnn Erickson, Albert and Dorothy Erickson and Julius Behling.

Virginia is survived by son, Daniel Erickson; son, Andy and Letitia Erickson; daughter, Marylou and Bobby Collinsworth; daughter, Rebecca and Adrian McManaway; 10 grandchildren: Karin and Jason Wright, Kimberlie and Phil Nadalski, Brigitta and Lee Walpole, Denise and Montie Montalvo, Mattias Erickson, Wyatt and K’Leigh Erickson, Morgan and Ellie Erickson, Josie Erickson, Cara and Homero Rueda, and David McManaway; 16 great-grandchildren: Myia, Landon, Nathan, Anika, Isabella, Carter, Karsen, Jeremiah, Micah, Caleb, Marlee, Allie, Stetson, Alani, Vallie and Rynleigh; five sisters: Wynona Behling, Judy Holley, Joan Smith, Jeannie Willis and Sharon Baillargeon; brother, Jim Foy; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Lakeside Baptist Church in Canton with Bro. Carlton Young officiating. A special thanks to those who gave Virginia rides to her many medical appointments and shopping. In lieu of flowers, donations in Virginia’s memory may be made to Operation Christmas Child in care of Samaritan’s Purse.