Mary Virginia Rodriguez Radford, 98, of Seneca, Kansas and formerly of Horton, KS, passed away at her home surrounded by her loved ones on September 13, 2016.

She was born on November 17, 1917 in Willcox, Arizona. Her parents were Jose Domingo Acosta Rodriguez and Maria Ceveriana Catalina Concepcion Lopez-Alvarez Acosta. She was married to Cpl. John Houston Radford at Fort Sam Houston, TX on June 5, 1942. They had four children: Mary Jane, Ann Christine, John Francis and Patricia Mae.

Virginia was an educator at Horton High School for 31 years as a Spanish, French and English teacher as well as a media specialist. She also taught 3rd and 4th grade at St. Leo’s Parochial School, Horton, when they needed the first lay teacher to replace a Benedictine Sister.

Besides her parents, preceding her in death were her husband of 55 years J.H. Radford, their infant son John Francis, Vern V. Peterson, longtime companion, special friend Paul C. Luscombe.

Survivors are daughters Mary Jane Fleming, Ann Radford-Aristimuño, Patricia (Luis) Gomez, Grandsons John Francis (Farrah) Gomez and daughter Ariana, Paul (Alison) Gomez and children Alexa, Daniel and Lucas. Special niece Nina (Otto) Zillmann, Nancy Bell, Mark and William Radford.

Other important people in her life: Greg Painter, Donna Gibson, Cheryl (Richard) Hamlin, Father Earl Dekat, Father Ed Owen, Carol and Carla Bishop, Emmett C. Labes, former students and friends in Horton, her wonderful friends in Seneca and her little Papillons Teddy and Marco.

Virginia’s contributions to her community were the education of the youth and volunteerism. She was recognized for her teaching by her induction into the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame. She dedicated many hours of community service and in turn received county and state level recognition for her volunteerism, including being Brown County representative at the Silver Haired Legislature in Topeka.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Church, St Benedict at 10:00 A.M. Friday, September 16, 2016. Inurnment will be at St. Leo’s Catholic Cemetery, Horton, at 9 A.M. Saturday. Rosary and visitation at Lauer’s Funeral Home in Seneca at 7 P.M. Thursday, September 15, 2016.

Memorials are for a Education Scholarship sent in care of the family.