Virginia Spradling

Virginia Small Spradling, longtime Corvallis resident, passed away October 16, 2007 at Heart of the Valley. She was 94. She was born to Rev. JC and Ida Harrison in Ferndale, WA on September 27, 1913, growing up in a family of five children, including her twin brother. She is the last survivor of her siblings. Her father was a Methodist minister and they moved several times during her younger years to various cities in Washington. Her high school years were spent in Portland, Oregon, where she attended Washington High School. Following graduation, she moved to Corvallis and enrolled at Oregon State College, joining Pi Beta Phi sorority. She met her husband-to-be, Phil Small, at Sunnybrook Restaurant where he worked as a soda jerk while attending OSC. They married in 1935 and made their home in Corvallis where Mr. Small was a local merchant of men’s clothing. Virginia was a stay-at-home mom while raising their daughters, Susan and Shirley. She was a member of Chapter AR, PEO sisterhood for 63 years and also a member of the Pi Beta Phi alumni club. In 1959 she resumed her education in landscape architecture at the University of Oregon. Gardening and landscape design were always a passion of hers, particularly the beautiful trees of the area. In the early 60’s she took up painting by taking classes at OSU and continued painting the rest of her life. She enjoyed long walks and trips to the Oregon Coast. She was a season ticket holder to OSU athletic events for many years and a longtime member of Corvallis Country Club. After 41 years of marriage, Mr. Small died unexpectedly in 1976. Several years later she married Dr. Richard Spradling and they enjoyed 25 years of a happy marriage. They shared interests in travel, history, music and golf. For many years they spent winters on Kauai. Dr. Spradling passed away in 2004. She is survived by her two daughters and their husbands, Susan and Bill Hall, Shirley and Don Wirth all of Corvallis. Also surviving are grandchildren Tom Wirth, Teresa Radosevich and Andy Banton; seven great grandchildren and step daughters Susan Moran, Sally Spradling and Debbie Oester. One grandson, Tim Wirth preceded her in death. A private burial will be held at Oak Lawn Memorial Park. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, October 22, 2007 at McHenry Funeral Home. Memorial contributions in her name can be made to the Corvallis Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Corvallis, OR 97333.

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Virginia Spradling

September 27, 1913 - October 16, 2007