Loving wife, mother, grandmother, educator, friend and community volunteer, Virginia Blair, of Dallas, TX, died Monday, August 12, 2019. Virginia was born February 9, 1940 in Tyler, TX to Willie Mae and Calvin P. Cunningham. She grew up in Southeast Texas and graduated from Vidor High School in 1958. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from North Texas State University where she also joined Kappa Delta sorority. After graduation, Virginia began a 31-year teaching career with the Dallas Independent School District. In 1964, Virginia married the love of her life, Joe Neal Blair in Dallas. The couple had two children, Ledith and Perry. Through the years, they traveled endless miles together to visit family and vacation all over the country. Virginia was a dedicated Girl Scout troop leader and day camp counselor, supported Boy Scout adventures and a successful Eagle Scout project. She chaperoned many outings as a Bryan Adams H.S. Band Booster Club member including trips to Washington, DC, San Antonio, TX and Orlando, FL. Virginia enjoyed many Friday evenings with her family at the Dallas Summer Musicals as a season ticket holder for over 30 years. "Gee" as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren, always made people feel important. She loved spending time with her grandkids and nurtured many special traditions including "Gee hugs," puzzle marathons, girls nights with her granddaughter, classic movie evenings, stargazing and New Year's Eve light parades. She also passed along her lifelong love and appreciation of animals and shared a special bond with her grandchildren when it came to family pets. Together they loved and cared for a sweet fluffy white dog they affectionately named Mandy and who was always proud to take her favorite people for a stroll in the neighborhood. Virginia's creative and artistic talents were legendary. Her intricate knitting projects are treasured family keepsakes. She designed and sewed beautiful clothing of an impeccably high quality and her children proudly wore many of her custom-made fashions that were sewn to perfection with love. She made imaginative solutions look effortless: hand-painting cards, wrapping perfect gifts, designing holiday displays, and hosting birthday celebrations for her family and friends. Her creative menus were always a hit at home, leadership meetings, community luncheons, and school functions. She prepared delicious recipes and then presented every dish in an attractive way. Her culinary skills were amazing and watching her make perfectly crafted peanut brittle at Christmas was a must-see for everyone. She contributed to numerous cookbooks throughout her life and was particularly happy when she compiled recipes for the Bridges Family, the Great Grant Gourmets, and the Dallas Retired Teachers Association. Virginia initially taught Physical Science at Comstock Middle School for 2 years and then Home Economics at Rusk Middle School for 3 years. She then moved to Bryan Adams High School in 1967 to teach Home Economics. She joined the Skyline High School faculty in 1971 and continued her Vocational Home Economics career as teacher and later department chair until her retirement. She enjoyed being a Senior Class sponsor each year and leading the local chapter of Future Homemakers of America (FHA). Some of her favorite classes to teach were Bachelors' Survival and Sewing. In retirement, she continued to support the DISD community as a substitute teacher and volunteer. She was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International honor society of key women educators. She became involved with Dallas Retired Teachers Association and Texas Retired Teachers Association. She served in many leadership roles in both organizations, including president, newsletter editor, and holiday luncheon hostess. She particularly enjoyed leading a "first book" program for elementary school children to receive a book of their very own to take home and enjoy. She was preceded in death by mother Willie Mae Grant Cunningham; father Calvin Perry Cunningham; and stepmother Maureen Tillman Cunningham. Virginia is survived by husband Joe Blair; daughter Ledith Blair and husband Nathan Farner; son Perry Blair; grandchildren Thomas, Jonathan and Katherine Farner; sister Frances Christensen; and many dear nieces and nephews, and precious friends. Virginia was a beautiful and gracious lady with a caring soul who will be missed dearly by all who knew her. A memorial celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Virginia's name may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of your choice.