Virginia Ripley Walker

Virginia (Ginnie) Ripley Walker peacefully entered into eternal rest on April 28, 2026.

Ginnie was born June 25, 1936, in James City County (Williamsburg), Virginia. Ginnie was the 7th of 10 children born to William Edward Ripley and Nannie Katherine Hogge Ripley. In 1952 she married her first husband, William Philip Hoffman, an Army soldier stationed at Ft Eustis. Between 1953 and 1966 Ginnie had 5 children.

As a military wife, Ginnie lived in Ft Eustis, Virginia; Ft Bragg, North Carolina; Ft Richardson, Alaska; Ft Rucker, Alabama; Ft Stewart, Georgia; and Ft Benning, Georgia. The couple divorced in 1973. Ginnie was ahead of her time working outside of her home as a Federal Civil Service employee beginning in 1960 at Ft Richardson. She subsequently continued her career at several of those duty assignments.

In 1976, Ginnie married Command Sergeant Major Frank P. Walker and moved to Augusta, Georgia. She continued her Federal career at Eisenhower Medical Center, Ft Gordon, Georgia. She retired from Federal Civil Service in September 1993. Ginnie lived in Augusta, Georgia until 2008 when she moved to Warner Robins to be closer to family.

Ginnie was an amazing seamstress, making her own clothes from the age of 12 and later clothing for her children and grandchildren. She made her second daughter’s wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses. She later made her oldest granddaughter’s Prom dress and her wedding gown. She taught herself to quilt and designed and sewed beautiful heirloom quilts. Ginnie also enjoyed knitting and crocheting.

Ginnie loved animals. She raised Boxers when her children were babies. There was always a dog in the family and in later years there were a few outdoor cats, not to mention the occasional gerbil, hamster, and turtles. For several years she had horses – Stacy and Sam. Ginnie had a deep appreciation for gardening, with a special fondness for African violets which she inherited from her mother. She had an amazing “green thumb” and never threw away a cutting from a plant. If she wasn’t sewing, she was outside working in her yard. She will be remembered for the quiet ways she cared for things and people important to her.

Ginnie was predeceased by her parents, seven brothers and sisters, her husband, Frank P. Walker, and stepson Wayne T. Walker. She is survived by her brothers, Robert F. Ripley and Thomas (Clara Lee) Ripley. Her memory will forever be treasured by her children, Ginger (Greg) Cannington of Kathleen GA, Bill (Amanda) Hoffman of Davie FL, Jon (Kenin) Hoffman of Warner Robins GA, Cathy (David) Hand of Kathleen GA, and Melody Wyche (Thorston Mims) of Milton FL; 15 grandchildren, Jennifer (Bob) Norbeck, Josh (Monica) Cannington, Matthew (Christopher Dawson) Cannington, Jason (Nicole) Hand, Nichole (Renae) Hand, Robert (April) Hoffman, Christopher (Jamie) Hoffman, Jon (Gina) Hoffman II, Bradley Hoffman, Cynthia Hoffman, Elizabeth Hoffman, Jaxson Hoffman, Madelyn Grace Hoffman, Timothy (fiancé Emma Hartsel) Ripley, and Josh (Caitlyn) Walker; and 25 great-grandchildren, Ashley (Chad) Morice, Paige (Matthew) Kenny, Kelly Norbeck, Benjamin Cannington, Bethany Lillie, Allison Lillie, Josie Lillie, Armida Hoffman, Conner Bressan, Benjamin Bartlett, Mason Hoffman, Mavrik Hoffman, Jackson Hoffman, Emma Hoffman, Bailey Hand, Kylie Hand, Laurel Hand, Emily Hand, Melody Ripley, Madison Ripley, Patton Ripley, Finn Ripley, Connor Ripley, Sullivan Walker and Weston Walker; and great-great grandchildren Clara Morice and Ellis Kenny.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at The Phoenix at Lake Joy and the nurses of Family Hospice for their compassion and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St Jude Children’s Hospital or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Services will be private. Ginnie will be laid to rest beside her husband, Command Sergeant Major Frank P. Walker, in a private family ceremony, in Arlington National Cemetery.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.