Virginia Schuyler Waddy

She was surrounded by her husband, daughter, and pastor as she accepted the hand of the Lord and walked into glory. Known to those who loved her as “Schuyler”, she was born June 20, 1942 to the late Ottoway Mickens and Charlie Thompson of Nelson County, VA. She was preceded in death by her brothers William Mickens and John Robbie Mickens, and her sisters Alice Mary Mickens and Ardelia Murphy (Mickens). Schuyler was educated in the Nelson County School System where she graduated from Nelson County High School.

Schuyler accepted Jesus as her savior at an early age and joined New Mount Baptist Church in Arrington, VA. Upon her death she served as a faithful member of The Way of the Cross Baptist Church in Palmyra, VA. She served as a deaconess and usher.

Schuyler enjoyed many years of service at the Student Health Center at the University of Virginia where she served as a lab technician and phlebotomist, then later transitioned to the General Medicine and Mental Health secretary/office manager. She worked during the leadership of three directors. She saw the coming and going of hundreds of staff and faculty, nearly one million patient visits, and worked in two separate clinic buildings. She served the students and staff of UVA for 37 years until her retirement in 1999.

After retirement, and a brief moment of rest, Schuyler began working with the late Rev. Nan Brown, who she affectionately referred to as her “second mom”. They worked together with The Way of the Cross Community Development Corporation HEART program (Helping Eliminate AIDS/HIV Risk through Teaching). The program focused on the education and assistance to churches to develop a ministry for persons with HIV/AIDS, provided a resource center for urban and rural communities, and an emotional and spiritual support networks for families and friends. They traveled the state providing education and counseling to many. They also worked with the Fluvanna Women’s Correctional facility creating the SISTAS prison ministry, with a focus on HIV/AIDS education to female inmates.

Schuyler leaves to cherish her memory a devoted and loving family, her husband Randolph Waddy of 39 years, of Palmyra, VA; her daughter Cassandra Murphy of Hampton, VA; two sisters Ottoway Marshall (Earl) of Rindge, NH and Mary Watson (David) of Clinton, MD; four stepdaughters, Cheryl Grooms of Richmond VA, Lisa Maynard (Vic) of Louisa, VA, Joyce Waddy (Pam) of Kents Store, VA, and Dawn Dawson (David) of Palmyra, VA; one granddaughter Logan Murphy of Hampton, VA; three devoted friends Mary Anderson of Charlottesville, VA, Marilyn Edwards of New Orleans, VA and cousin Tilly Beauford (Roland) of Palmyra, VA; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, beloved relatives and friends.

Special thank you to ICU department doctors and nurses, as well as the Palliative Care team at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital for the care and compassion.

A memorial service will be held at the Way of the Cross Church 579 Haden Martin Rd, Palmyra, VA on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at 11:00 AM. Covid-19 protocols will be enforced and masks are mandatory. Due to Covid restrictions we will not have a repast at the church.