Virginia Poling Obituary

Virginia Hodges Poling

Apr 21, 1932 - Feb 26, 2024

Norwalk

Virginia Hodges Poling, 91, of Norwalk, died unexpectedly, but peacefully on the morning of Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, at Bickford of Worthington.

Virginia was born April 21, 1932, in Palestine, Texas, to Robert and Virginia Hodges, but spent most of her childhood in Orange, Texas. Virginia started her college years at Lamar University when she met her future husband, Carroll, when Carroll was serving in U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. After marrying, moving to Norwalk, and having her children, Virginia began her teaching career at Norwalk City Schools while simultaneously finishing her degrees in the evenings. Virginia would spend the next 40 years with NCS, eventually rising through the ranks to be named Superintendent, a position that she maintained and loved for 11 years. During her tenure, the new Norwalk High School was built, a fitting conclusion to a long career of service.

She is survived by two daughters, Deborah Poling of Columbus and Janet Poling Reiss (Gary) of Worthington; and son, Richard Poling. Virginia would want us to acknowledge our paternal grandmother, Beryl Poling, who, by living with our family, made Virginia's career possible.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll; and son, Randol.

They say that you do not change as you get older, you only become more yourself. There is no better example of this than Virginia. She was respectful, optimistic, and loving to the very end. She was the absolute best and was loved by all that surrounded her.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2024, until the time of Virginia's funeral and celebration of life at 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Norwalk, 21 Firelands Blvd., Norwalk.

The Poling and Reiss families wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff at Mary B's at Bickford of Worthington and Suncrest Hospice who, together with Virginia's daughters, cared lovingly and compassionately for Virginia in her final years.

In lieu of flowers, Virginia's family requests that contributions be made to Weekends Without Hunger, P.O. Box 914, Norwalk, Ohio, 44857.