Virginia Maness Stratford

Virginia "Ginger" Maness Stratford of Chapin, SC passed away peacefully Friday April 11, 2025 at home with her daughter who was her caregiver for over a year. 

The family will have a Celebration of Life at a later date chosen by her daughter. 

Ginger was born December 24,1945 in Anderson County, SC to Lee Roy and Gladys Virginia Jones Maness. She was the oldest of five daughters. 

She grew up in Avon Park, FL. Shortly after graduating Ginger went to work for State Farm Insurance Company and shortly became one of their first female auto adjusters/estimator specialists. Ginger faced a lot of adversity in this male dominated field. She was quick to learn and soaked up all the information in her training classes. Over time fairly shortly she knew as much about cars as the mechanics and body shop who worked on them. In fact, one group of mechanics and body shop techs customized a creeper and painted it pink, especially for her. She knew the forensics of a car accident before it was called that - that is, she knew what was the actual impact point and how bad the damage would be to the car and driver at various miles per hour. In 1985 Ginger decided to transfer to the Columbia, SC State Farm Insurance Claims office to be closer to family in the up state. She was employed with State Farm Insurance Company for 45 years when she retired. 

Ginger was known for her artistic and creative talents, among them painting; cross-stitching; crocheting blankets, and later christening gowns she made for family members. When she wasn't busy crafting and sewing, she loved spending time shopping with her husband, the love of her life, Blair Stratford. Together they loved planning and holding special events entertaining family and friends. Their get-togethers were legendary, as they filled their home with trinkets and treasures which they used to decorate for each holiday in high style. They both loved college football, especially our South Carolina Gamecocks. If they were not at the games, then they were home watching the games on tv. 

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister Gail; her beloved husband, Blair, of more than 30 years; and other aunts uncles: Iber Jones, Jr., Iva, SC; Billy Jones and Doris, Detroit, MI; Dewitt and Bobbie Jones, Lake Hartwell, GA; Rosie Hewell (Hayward), Dean’s Station; and Walter Jones of Iva, SC ;cousin Leah Hewell of Star, SC. Survivors include her only child Tara Stewart-Stratford of Chapin, SC; Step-son, Theron "Thad" Stratford of Irmo, SC; her three sisters: Pamela Pickard (Rick) of Brooksville, FL; Amanda Crews of Bartow, FL; Barbara Jack (Steve) of Lufkin, TX; Nephews: Cruiser Crews, Chad Crews, Josh Jack; and niece, Katie Jack; and three granddaughters whom she loved unconditionally: Ashlyn Brooke, Emilie Blaire, and Teagan Maire Stratford, Uncle Johnny Jones (Kay) of Abbeville, SC; Aunt Barbara Fields (Clyde) of Iva, SC; Aunt Shelby Jones of Pensacola, FL ;Cousins; Skipper Hewell (Sandra) of Starr, SC ; James Hewell (Juli) of Starr,SC ; Angela Jones Hinson of Seneca ,SC ;Carmen Jones of Pensacola; Amber Jones (George) of Antrieville, SC ;Sylvia Jones Bryant of Honea Path, SC ; Jacob Hewell (Haley) of Starr, SC ; Landon Hewell (Meghan) of Star, SC ; Logan Hewell (Crystal) of Simpsonville, SC; Angela Sanders (Rick) of Ponte Verdra Beach, Fl; Lauren Taylor Allen (Barrett) of Atlanta, GA

 Temples-Halloran Funeral Home proudly serves the Stratford family in their time of grief.