Virginia Lee Carr

Virginia Lee Carr, 92, of Santa Fe, NM, was called to her eternal resting place on March 25, 2018. She was born on October 13, 1925 in Wichita, KS, to Alvah Clair Cecil and Verna Funk Cecil Williams. Upon graduating from El Dorado Junior College she worked at the Carnegie Library in KS for two years before moving to NM in 1950. She worked as a secretary for PNM and in church and architecture offices. In Belen she was a substitute teacher. She was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church and a mainstay of her congregation.

In 1987 Virginia helped found the Albuquerque chapter of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (later Hearing Loss Association of America, HLAA), a support group for those with hearing loss, their families and friends. She served as Chapter Coordinator for New Mexico and organized chapters in Roswell, Santa Fe and Alamogordo. After moving to Santa Fe, Virginia played a key role in the Santa Fe chapter. She continued to be a strong advocate for HLAA and assistive technology in community spaces throughout her life. In 2008 Albuquerque HLAA established the annual Virginia Carr Award in her honor.

She is survived by her son, David Carr (Sabrina Pratt) of Santa Fe; daughter, Jo Ann James (Kris) of Abilene, TX; grandchildren, Beth James, Benjamin James (Karen), Wesley Carr, and Barret Carr; and Zhenko and Ansel Craig to whom she was “Auntie Gin.” She was preceded in death by husband, Earl William Carr; daughter, Mary Claire Carr Burress; and step-father, Glenn Williams.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 6, 2018, 10:00 a.m., at Christ United Methodist Church, 6200 Gibson Blvd SE. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her honor to HLAA, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814, the American Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice.