Mrs. Virginia Faye Armstrong Griffin, a resident of McCrory, departed this life on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, at her home at the age of 86. She was born in McCrory on Jan. 20, 1940, the daughter of Fletcher and Sylvia (Carter) Armstrong.
Virginia grew up in the Beards/Tipp Community and later married H.A. Griffin on Jan. 22, 1965. Together, they shared 46 years before his passing. Virginia was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and caregiver whose life was marked by her willingness to serve and care for those around her.
Virginia owned and operated Virginia’s Bakery for a time, where her love of baking became a true gift to her family and community. She made countless wedding cakes, cakes, and cookies, and especially enjoyed making special treats for her children’s classes. At Christmas, she would spend countless hours making festive cookies in the shapes of snowmen, Santas, and other holiday favorites.
Following her years in the bakery, Virginia earned her GED and pursued her certification as a licensed practical nurse. She worked in private care, home health, and at Woodruff County Hospital and Nursing Home before retiring. Her compassion for others continued throughout her nursing career and long afterward. If a family member or friend needed someone to sit with them at the hospital, Virginia was the person they could count on. She was always willing to make life a little easier for those around her.
After retirement, Virginia frequently helped her daughter, Mitzie, with her daycare, where she was lovingly known as “Nanny.” She took great pride not only in her own children and grandchildren, but also in the many children she cared for throughout the years.
Virginia was talented in so many ways. She was an excellent seamstress who made beautiful clothing for her daughters and could sew, bake, and accomplish just about anything she set her mind to. She loved fishing, especially trout fishing at the dam in Heber Springs. She was known to put on her waders and catch more fish than the men. She also loved camping and was more than capable of hauling the camper, setting up camp, and backing the boat into the water.
One family camping trip to Barkshed became a story that would be remembered for years to come. Virginia attempted to swing across the creek on a vine, only for the vine to break and leave her with a broken tailbone. It certainly was not funny at the time, but over the years, it became one of those family stories that everyone could laugh about and remember fondly.
Family was at the heart of Virginia’s life. Her grandchildren were the lights of her life, and she especially enjoyed FaceTiming with her youngest grandchildren, who brought her immense joy. Her nieces and nephews were more like children to her, and she loved them dearly. She cherished family gatherings and camping trips with her loved ones.
Virginia enjoyed spending time at home watching The Price Is Right and her favorite soap operas, as well as playing solitaire on her phone. She was a woman who was always on your side and constantly looked for ways to help, encourage, and make things easier for others.
Virginia lived in Tumbling Shoals for several years before returning to McCrory. She raised her children at Grays Apostolic Church and, while living in Tumbling Shoals, attended The Sanctuary Church in Heber Springs.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, H.A. Griffin; her parents, Fletcher and Sylvia Armstrong; two brothers, Donald Armstrong and Gerald Armstrong; and two sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Armstrong and Roverta Griffin Barnett.
She is survived by three daughters, Brenda Trotter and husband, Mike, of Searcy, Janice Headley of McCrory, and Mitzie Currier and husband, James, of Tumbling Shoals; six grandchildren, Jamie Ballard and husband, Tyler, Carla Hargrove and husband, Chris, Leigh Anne Coston and husband, Zeke, Billy Headley, Michael Headley, and Robbie Headley and wife, Kayla; 14 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; several beloved nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in the Thompson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel in McCrory with Pastor Rocky Joslin officiating. Interment will follow in Woodman Cemetery.
Friends may visit at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until service time.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Billy Headley, Michael Headley, Robbie Headley, Hayden Headley, Chris Hargrove, and Zeke Coston.
Arrangements by Thompson-Wilson Funeral Home of McCrory.
