Virginia Skelton Stratford

Virginia Skelton Stratford, 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 28, 2024. A beloved daughter, sister, wife, aunt, neighbor, and friend, her humor, spirit, and southern charm will be deeply missed by many. Born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Virginia, and was a graduate of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Class of 1952. After graduating from Nazareth College (now Spalding College) in Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, she returned to Chattanooga to work at Cutter Laboratories Virginia married John B. “Jack” Stratford of Graham, N.C. in 1963, and shortly afterward the couple relocated to Jacksonville, FL. Eventually, her parents, his brother, and his family all followed. She and her husband moved to St. Augustine, where they resided for more than 30 years and raised several cherished Pekinese dogs and the occasional stray cat she met at local St. Augustine seafood restaurants. To know Virginia was to not only know about her love of animals, but also of genealogy (particularly her Irish and Scottish roots), history, and antiques. After working in North Florida’s healthcare industry for many years, she fulfilled her dream of opening her own antiques shop. She and Jack were proprietors of Genesis Antiques, located at the corner of San Marco and Cincinnati Avenues in the heart of the historic district. After the shop closed, she continued working in antiques as an appraiser. She was a member of the American Association of University Women and the Pilot Club, and served as President of the Homeowners Association at the Moultrie Trails community. Virginia was a devoted member of the Catholic Church. Most recently she joined the parish at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mandarin. She was predeceased by her husband Jack Stratford; her parents, Thomas Louis and Virginia Roberts Skelton; and her brother, Dr. John T. Skelton. She is survived by nieces Elizabeth Morgan (Garrick) and Jennifer McAfee (Mark); sister-in-law Jane Skelton, great nephew Tyler McAfee and great niece Virginia McAfee of Jacksonville; nephew Huston P. Sharpe, Jr. of Graham, NC; great nephews Clinton Sharpe and Trip Sharpe and great niece Melissa Sharpe of Graham, NC, and longtime friends who were like family Bill and Sande Liggett of St. Augustine and Erica Fitzpatrick of Lilburn, GA. She also leaves behind a team of devoted caregivers at River Garden Hebrew Home, where she spent her final years entertaining visitors and keeping the nursing staff laughing. She kept a drawer stashed full of Starbucks Blonde Roast Veranda singles and fun-size Snickers, closely scrutinizing the wardrobe and haircuts of local news anchors and watching General Hospital without fail every day. Following a private graveside service, she will join her beloved husband Jack at San Lorenzo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in her memory to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jacksonville, FL. Those desiring may leave messages of sympathy and encouragement by going to her tribute page by going to www.stjohnsfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Virginia Skelton Stratford

November 9, 1934 - June 28, 2024