Mary Virginia Drake Rockwood, 87, passed away in her home on April 19, 2013. She was born Oct. 26, 1925 in Prairieton, IN to T. Earl and Bernice Drake. She is survived by her son, Tim Rockwood, of Terre Haute; daughter, Jonnie K Haldt and her husband Charles of Beaufort, SC; grandchildren Amy Lawson of Beaufort SC, Erin Peddicord and her husband Dan of Chicago, IL, Lauren McKinley and her husband Travis of Carlisle, IN; great granddaughter, Taylor Lawson; great grandsons, Ben and Adam McKinley, and Nicholas Peddicord; brothers, Robert Earl Drake and his wife Erma of Prairie Creek and John R. Drake and his wife Sybil of Prairieton; sister-in-law, Josephine Selvia of Naples, FL; brother-in-law, Charles Moore of Terre Haute; and many nieces and nephews (Drakes and Rockwoods). She was preceded in death by husband Harlan; sisters, Patty Ann Drake, Harriet Mitchell, and Nancy Moore; and great grandson, Lance McKinley. Mary (Virginia) graduated from Honey Creek High School and Purdue University where she specialized in Early Childhood Education. Following her graduation from Purdue she helped establish the first nursery school at Indiana State Teachers College and became it's first Teacher and Director. After a few years of teaching she married and decided to have a family. She then stayed home with her children until they were in elementary school, at which time she returned to the teaching field and taught Kindergarten for the Vigo County School Corp. at Pimento for many years before early retirement with health problems. In her early years, Virginia taught Sunday School, was a 4H Leader, and Director of the former Torner House Girls Club when it was on S. 4th St. She and Harlan could also be found square dancing with the Vigo County Rural Youth Club She was a member of Salem Baptist Church, attended Riley Methodist Church, Union Christian Church and was a member of the Ladies Evening Circle and a 40 year member of the Riley Sunshine Home Extension Club. Mary (Virginia) and Harlan served on the Board of Directors (2 Yrs) for Meals on Wheels and enjoyed delivering meals for nearly 10 years. She was a proud survivor of Open Heart Surgery, and two bouts of Cancer In keeping with Virginia and Harlan's wishes, their ashes will be laid to rest together at a graveside service at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with Brother Mark Grayless officiating, at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 2013, followed by a celebration of life, held at her home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Hospice of the Wabash Valley and Meals on Wheels. Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 S. 25th Street.
