Virginia Stauffacher Obituary

Virginia Lee Nottingham Stauffacher, 91, of Dunnegan, passed away on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
She was born July 24, 1933, at her home near Dunnegan, the daughter of Lonnie Nottingham and Ethel Belle (Hopper) Nottingham. On Oct. 26, 1952, she was united in marriage to Ralph Alan Stauffacher at Spring Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Lewis Mead officiating.

A lifelong resident of the Humansville, Dunnegan, and Bolivar area, Virginia found joy in her roles as a wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher. She earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Drury University in 1976 and 1985. While working toward her degrees, she spent eight years as an assistant teacher with Head Start. Her teaching career with the Bolivar School District spanned twenty-six years, where she taught Kindergarten through third grade. She had a passion for making learning fun and engaging, with a special emphasis on science.

Virginia was known for her warm, outgoing personality and her ability to make others feel welcome. She was a friend to many and never met a stranger.

She was an active member of several professional and community organizations, including the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA), Classroom Teachers Association, International Reading Association, Kappa Kappa Iota, and the Missouri Retired Teachers Association (MRTA). She also participated in Bunco, book studies, and volunteered many years with Citizens Memorial Hospital and the CMH Cancer Center.

She enjoyed playing the piano, painting, drawing, reading, and spending time outdoors-especially in her garden, which was filled with flowers, most notably her favorite - roses.

Virginia's faith in the Lord was the foundation of her life. She was saved at a young age and became a charter member of the former Dunnegan Community Bible Church. She also held a deep connection to Spring Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Her greatest hope and prayer was for all of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren to know Christ and devote their lives to Him. She encouraged them to find joy in reading, to grow gardens filled with flowers, fruits, and vegetables, and to serve others with love, prayer, and the Word of God. In her own words, "I love to share the love of God's beautiful earth."

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ralph Stauffacher; son-in-law, Mark Stewart; brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Helen Nottingham; and her parents, Lonnie and Ethel Belle Nottingham.

Survivors include her children, Cathy and John Adams of Springfield, Jeanne and Steve Robinson of Republic, Janelle Stewart of Republic, Shirley Tummons of Natchitoches, Louisiana, and Alan and Gayla Stauffacher of Dunnegan; eleven grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Virginia's legacy of love, learning, faith, and kindness will continue to grow in the lives of those she touched.

Visitation for Virginia will be Thursday, June 26, at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday, June 27, starting at 2 p.m. at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. Interment will take place immediately following the service at Plum Grove Cemetery near Dunnegan, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Plum Grove Cemetery in memory of Virginia.