Virginia Boggan Cruse

Mrs. Virginia Boggan Cruse, age 95, of Grayson, Louisiana, was born on July 21, 1927, in Panola, Mississippi, and went to meet her Savior and Lord on April 23, 2023, at the Haven Nursing Home in Columbia, Louisiana.

Virginia's family moved to Grayson, Louisiana, in 1938 and she attended Grayson School where she graduated valedictorian of her class in 1944. She met the love of her life, Benny Ray Cruse, while attending Grayson School. The two were married on December 29, 1946, after Benny returned from military service in WWII. In the early years of their marriage she taught school and then eventually worked in the family lumber yard business and raised two loving sons.

Virginia was a member of Grayson Baptist Church for 80 years where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, was president of the Women's Missionary Union, to name only a few of the ministries she was involved in. She was also on the board of the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home in Monroe, Louisiana.

She loved to sing, travel, cook and entertain. She was the perfect hostess. Hobos would get off the train in front of her home to be fed a warm meal. Church members looked forward to the coconut cake she would bake for gatherings. In some ways that was her biggest ministry - the loving kindness she exhibited to strangers and loved ones through her cooking and hospitality.

The family is so grateful for the love and care she received while a resident at the Haven Nursing Home.

Virginia was loved by many people and touched lives with her hospitality, kindness and loving spirit. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Benny Ray Cruse, parents: Jasper Wayne Boggan, Sr. and Linna Sanford Miller, siblings: Jasper Boggan, Jr., Francine Connerly, and Jack Boggan, grandson, Dustin Cruse and great-grandson Van Cruse.

She is survived by her sons: Dana Cruse and wife Sarah, Chuck Cruse and wife Karen, grandchildren: Damon Cruse and wife Amy, Davin Cruse and wife Jennifer, Kimberly Stovall, Deanna St. Germain and husband, Jeremy, and Wesley Cruse and twelve great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 29, 2023, from the sanctuary of Grayson Baptist Church with Bro. Roger Johnson and Bro. Jack McKeithen officiating. Visitation will be from 9 AM until 11 AM at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home, PO Box 4196, Monroe, Louisiana 71211.