Virginia Louise Ford, age 79, of Leawood, Kansas, formerly of Osawatomie, Kansas, died Monday, April 14, 2008 at Sunrise of Leawood Assisted Living.

Virginia was born April 23, 1928 at Beagle, Kansas. She was one of four children born to James Otis and Clora Fern (Rookstool) Huff. She attended Osawatomie High School and graduated with the Class of 1946.

She was united in marriage to Jay Armand Ford at Beagle, Kansas on September 27, 1947. They made their home in Osawatomie and became the parents of one son.

In 1975 Virginia and Jay bought the Benjamin Franklin Dime Store in Osawatomie. In the early '80s they opened a commercial real estate broker's office in Osawatomie. Virginia retired from the realty business in 1998 after her husband's death. Jay died April 16, 1998.

Virginia enjoyed sewing and music. She was a vocalist in her younger years. She also was a glass collector and an Imperial Candlewick collector. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Osawatomie, the National Imperial Glass Collectors' Society, and the National Realtors' Association.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers, James Leroy Huff and Junior Huff, and one sister, Pauline Huff. Her siblings died in early childhood.

She is survived by her son, Gary, and his wife, Sandra, of Ballwin, Missouri, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. She will lie instate after 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in the Beagle Cemetery. Arrangements: Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home, 203 Main Street, P. O. Box 430, Osawatomie, KS 66064. (913) 755-2114