Virginia Mayor Bradford, 90, died June 16, 2017, at Meadowbrook in Urbana. She was born July 30, 1926, in Elat Station, Cameroon, West Africa, the third daughter of Anna and John Bradford who were Presbyterian missionaries.

Following the death of her father, the family returned to America when Virginia was two and settled in Monmouth, Illinois, with the Bradfords, where she attended elementary and high school.

Virginia graduated from Western Illinois State Teachers College in 1948, now known as Western Illinois University. Her first job was teaching mathematics and physical education at the high school in Mt. Auburn, Illinois. In 1952, Virginia moved to Polo, Illinois, where she taught all the physical education and freshman and sophomore mathematics classes. While in Polo, she was awarded a National Science Foundation grant to study at the University of Illinois where she earned a Masters in the Teaching of Mathematics.

After completing the MS she began teaching at the Urbana High School. Virginia taught at the Urbana High and Junior High for 27 years. As a teacher she co-authored a test booklet for high school geometry that was published by McGraw-Hill, chaired the Mathematics Department, formed a mathematics club, mentored student teachers, and served on many committees. In 1967 the board promoted her to assistant principal. But, after serving for a few years returned to teaching, which she loved, and where she remained until retiring in 1983. In 1984 she was named an outstanding teacher by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Virginia was a dog lover and owned award-winning cairn terriers. An active member of the Dog Training Club of Champaign Urbana until later years, she enjoyed doing Earth Dog and Tracking training and competitions.

A long-time and active member of First United Presbyterian Church of Urbana, she served as an elder, and participated in classes and committees.

Virginia is predeceased by her parents and two sisters, Anna Margaret Stults, and Mary Louise Stengel. She leaves behind many friends and three nieces, Linda Schueller of Lakewood, Colorado, Sally (and Jeff) Carlson of Spencer, Indiana, and Sandra Stengel, of Mt. Morris, Illinois, as well as two great nephews, Bradford Schueller and Elijah Carlson, and one great-great nephew, Ford Schueller.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 24, at the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, 602 W. Green Street, Urbana, followed by a luncheon. Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana.