Virginia Camp Sprawls (Tulia)

Virginia Camp Sprawls was born June 5, 1922, and left this world on May 6, 2024, just days away from her 102nd birthday.

Her parents were George Ray Camp and Minnie Mae Goodner Camp. She was born in the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Goodner, their home was located in the Love community of Swisher County.

Viginia’s childhood was disrupted when she was 3 years old. Her mother died five days after giving birth to a new baby sister. She then went to live with her grandparents and the baby was taken in by an aunt and uncle.

She attended school at the Love community school, walking there most days in all kinds of weather. She was a member of the school basketball team and often mentioned rivalry among the community schools. Her senior year she transferred to Tulia High School, during that senior year she met Volney Sprawls. She has been heard to say that they never really dated and just went on “milk runs” together. The Sprawls family owned a dairy farm and delivered to customers in town. Virgina went with Volney on his milk routes, but there was the occasional Saturday night movie. They were married on January 18, 1941.

Virgina and Volney raised two children Karen and Volney Jr. They were always there to participate in school activities and were very hands-on with the children’s school and extra-curricular activities. 

She was an active member of the Elkins Home Demonstration Club from the mid 1950’s to 1997, and at this time the two surviving members made the decision to disband. She also received the Swisher County pioneer award in 2005. 

Some would say her profession was housewife, but it was so much more. She knew most facets of the farm operation that she and Volney had established. When she lost her husband in 1999, she was able to step in and take over the management. Through the years there was the summer garden, canning and freezing, three meals a day, with lunch being delivered to the field. Viginia met her challenges head-on and sometimes with the help of good friends. 

At 83 she survived a ruptured appendix. Then at the age of 85 she decided to close down the operation and retire, saying she could not take care of the cattle one more cold winter. 

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Minnie Mae and George Ray Camp, husband Volney, her son Volney Jr. and sister Betty Jo (Camp) Love Barker. 

Virginia is survived by her daughter Karen Duvall, her grandchildren, Trey Sprawls and wife Kat, Ray Sprawls and Crystle Keiley and husband Chris. Her great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Madison, Jonathan, Kallista, Kaitleen, Brooklynn and Ayden. Chosen great children, Mary, Dallas and Harley and her sister Gloria Camp Madden. 

Love, laughter, good times and bad filled Virginia’s life. She was a remarkable woman facing each day with grace and dignity. All one hundred plus years of her life.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at Kornerstone Funeral Directors Chapel in Tulia with Bob Colson officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Funeral services are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia. A visitation will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.