Virginia Lee Bray Croswell, 80, of Reedville, Virginia died at home on January 26, 2015. She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin Lee Bray and Virginia Booth Bray. “Bopeep”, as she was fondly known by her father and friends, was raised by her parents and her aunt and uncle, Elsie and Ennis Bray; brothers married sisters and they shared a home as one big family. Virginia was the only child of Lee and “Virgie’, but was raised as the youngest of six. Elsie and Ennis had five older children, Francis Earl, Mary Virginia, Mildred Lee, Robert L., and Elsie “Mickie”.

Virginia graduated from Reedville High School in 1952 and attended Pan-American Business School for Girls in Richmond. Afterwards, she worked as a secretary with Reedville Oil and Guano, later Haynie Products and with Dr. Robert E.Beatley at Reedville Medical Clinic, later Bay Harbor Medical Center in Burgess as a medical secretary.

Virginia married Thomas James Croswell in 1954, who was the Plant Superintendent for Zapata Haynie in Reedville; he died in 2001, she was at his bedside when he passed. They had two sons, Thomas Paul Croswell and David Lee Croswell, both of Reedville.

Virginia was a longtime member of Bethany United Methodist Church, a member of the Fairfields Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Northumberland County Rescue Squad and Reedville Fisherman’s Museum.

She is survived by her best friend and constant companion, Edwin W. “Bootsie” Rice; sons, Thomas Paul Croswell Sr. and David Lee Croswell; grandsons, whom she raised, Thomas Paul Croswell, Jr, Michael James Croswell, Matthew Lee Croswell and Joshua Douglas Croswell; extended family, Vincent and Lydia Haynie and their sons, Emory and Samuel; Warner and Alice Rice and their daughters, Emily, Rachel and Ann; and cousins, Francis Earl Bray and his wife, Iris and Robert L. Bray and his wife, Clara, both of whom considered “Bopeep” as their fourth sister.

Virginia’s best friend from childhood, Barbara Bowen Forrest passed in 2010. Virginia missed Barbara and was her eternal friend; Barbara’s husband, Eugene “Speed” remains a true friend. Another close friend, Anne Winters Haynie called Bopeep “tough” and tough she was. Anne and her husband, Wendell Haynie were close friends and will be forever appreciated.

The family is very grateful for the care she received from Christina Slavin, F. N. P. and her staff, The Virginia Cancer Institute, and the staff of VCU Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a. m. Friday, January 30, 2015 at Bethany United Methodist Church, Reedville. Interment will follow in the family plot at Roseland Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 p. m. Thursday, January 29 at the church.

Pallbearers will be A. Warner Rice, D. Vincent Haynie, Jr., Emory V. Haynie, Samuel E. Haynie, Eugene “Speed” Forrest, and Vernon F. Brann. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Tripp, Tommy Beatley, and Leslie F. Croswell.


Memorial contributions may be made to Fairfields Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 656. Burgess, VA 22432, Mid-County Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 355, Heathsville, VA 22473 or Northumberland Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 1. Reedville, VA 22539.