1949 ~ 2025
Virginia Ray Whitfield Johnson Graf passed away October 4, 2025 in Salt Lake City, UT after a period of declining health.
She was born on June 4, 1949 in Hopkinsville, KY to Margaret Hackney and Will Rogers Whitfield and graduated from Hopkinsville High School in 1967. She then attended Ricks College in Rexburg, ID.
She married David C. Johnson on October 23, 1973. They had 3 children; DerriDee, Briam, and David. Later divorced, she married John J. Graf.
Virginia became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a teenager and was a faithful member for the rest of her life. She loved children and worked as a pre-school assistant from time to time. She had many health challenges throughout her life but always kept a positive attitude. She had a special fondness for Elvis Presley and she herself was blessed with a beautiful soprano voice.
Virginia is survived by daughter DerriDee L. Johnson of Farmington, Utah, son Briam C. Johnson and his wife Theresa and their children Brydon (wife Sarah and great-grandaughter Lilia), Treyson, Seila, and Amani of Salt Lake City, UT; and son David E. Johnson and his children Will, Vincent, and Joshuah of Gypsum, CO. She is also survived by her sister Sandra Marquess of Jefferson, GA, sister Anna Goode of Hopkinsville, KY, and several nieces and nephews.
Virginia was predeceased by her parents, brother Will R.Whitfield Jr., grandson Jaymin Mann, and husband John Graf.
Thank you to the staff of Maple Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing who took good care of Virginia.
A service will be held at 4:00 pm on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at the Larkin Sunset Lawn funeral home at 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT.
Deridee! I’m So Sorry To Hear This Heartbreaking Loss Of Your WonderFul Mom! 😳 Please AlWays Know I’m Hear If You Ever Want To Talk! Please AlSo Know I Love You! ❤️!
To the family...My heartfelt condolences for the passing of your dear Mother & Grandmother, & many friends she leaves behind. Virginia I met our first year at Rick's College. We were best of friends in the short time together her before her leaving & going home to live with my parents on the farm briefly & then helping her to bus home to the Hopkinsville home she missed so much. Virginia was always making her roomies laugh constantly with her unconventional wit, crackling laughter, & sparkle in her eyes!! Before she left Rick's, she gave me a sweet singular Pearl. necklace to remember her. I wear it to this day & cherish it along with her treasured memory. Somehow we lost contact of one another in our childbearing years! I thought of her so often wondering where she was & praying she was happy!
I know she is now in a beautiful place, filled with Love & Peace where we will all joyfully find her again one day!!
Remembering you always, Jeanette
Deri Dee, I am sorry for the loss of your Mother. My condolences to all the families.
I did not realize I could have watched her family service. I am very sad about that.
I know this has been a difficult time. Be sure to take care of yourself.