Virginia Lou Crawford Damon, born on the 8th of April,1929 in Houston, Texas, to Estelle Diana and Curtis Eugene Crawford passed from this life on the 5th of January, 2009, surrounded by her loving family. She was 79. A private graveside service was held on the 7th of January, the Rev. James C. Morgan officiating.

Virginia Lou, an only child, grew up in the small Texasgulf Sulphur Co. town of New Gulf, Texas and graduated from Boling High School, Class of '46. Virginia Lou began her dance training at the tender age of three traveling to Houston to study with renowned dance teacher Hallie Pritchard. Before long she realized she wanted to choose ballet and dance as her lifetime profession and soon began traveling to Houston by bus 5 days a week throughout her high school years. She always considered herself lucky and blessed to have had the opportunity to train with wonderful teachers. Ann Miller and Tommy Tune were among the many talented students that also studied with Hallie Pritchard.

In the summer of 1943, when Virginia Lou was 14 years old, Ms. Prichard saw talent and dedication in Virginia and rewarded her with an invitation to travel with her to Los Angeles to train with Madame Bronislava Nijinska. This meeting proved to be successful and Virginia Lou would continue to travel to California each summer for 8 years and receive ballet training from Madame Nijinska; returning each fall toTexas for school, dance, voice and piano lessons. Virginia Lou started her first dance school in Texas after that first summer in Los Angeles. Her early students referred to her fondly as"Miss Crawford". During the 1940's if one intended to pursue a professional career in ballet and dance, one had to seek out their training. A degree in Ballet was not offered at the time and Miss Crawford considered herself very fortunate to have had such rich and rewarding experiences with exceptional teachers.

Madame Nijinska played a significant role in her life. Nijinska, sister to Vaslav Nijinsky, taught the professional dancers and Virginia Lou was in classes with Cyd Charisse and Vera-Ellen. Virginia Lou also studied with Ernest Belcher, father of Marge Champion; Nico Charisse, Dance director of MGM and husband of Cyd; and Alexander Kotchetovsky, Madame Nijinska's first husband. While in Hollywood, Virginia was privileged to have performed at the Hollywood Bowl in "Petrouska" and "Sherherazade." She performed as well with Serge Diaghilev's The Ballet Russe in New York City.

With Virginia's talent, ability and good looks it was no surprise that she was asked to audition and then test for a part in a Warner Bros. Film starring Doris Day. This was her first big audition and she was delighted to have been chosen for the role. The dance director for the movie was Leroy Prince. As fate would have it, Prince had to undergo emergency surgery and the movie had to be postponed for his recovery. Virginia continued with study and practice there for the months of delay only to discover that her ambition was not a career in movies but to return to Texas, her home and her dance pupils.

When Virginia Lou returned to her home state of Texas she knew that she had made the right decision and embarked upon a teaching career that lasted for 34 memorable years. Virginia Lou taught dance in Wharton, Bay City, Angleton, El Campo, Rosenberg and West Columbia, Texas.
Never one to boast or brag, Virginia Lou would on occasion share her experiences with her children and dance pupils. She recalled how exciting it was living in the apartment below the young Margaret O'Brien and watching her study dance under the instruction of Irina Nijinska, Mme Nijinska's daughter, who also taught Liza Minnelli and Natalie Wood. "It was such a glamorous time to have been in Hollywood in the 1940's. I would try to see movies whenever I could, and on Sundays I would walk on Hollywood Boulevard and see all the "weird" and "strange" people and sights". Virginia Lou had the opportunity to see many glamorous movie stars of the "Golden Era". She fondly recalled watching Rock Hudson escort Vera-Ellen to dance class and sometimes getting a sneak peek at Rock Hudson taking his private dance lessons from Mme Nijinska. During World War II, Virginia Lou performed and danced for the USO.

Virginia Lou met the love of her life, John Wiley Damon in 1952; they were married on April 16, 1955. Together they had three children, Diana, Ginny Kate and John Wesley and two daughters from John's previous marriage Shelley and Jonna.

In 1957, shortly before their first child was born, John built their first home with a dance studio next door. "It was always exciting," she said. Virginia Lou loved teaching children and sharing her life with so many students and friends. She has remained in close contact with many of her students. Virginia Lou always believed in the benefits of dance. "Dance is beneficial for children. Ballet teaches discipline, grace, self confidence and appreciation of good music," said Virginia Lou.

After retiring from her dance career Virginia Lou remained active in many community related affairs. Virginia Lou and John enjoyed being active in politics, travel and collecting. They especially enjoyed the life they had chosen together and the love they had for one another, their children, grandchildren and friends.

Virginia Lou will be remembered not only for her grace, talent and beauty, but for her faith in
God, sense of humor and loyalty to her family and friends. We will cherish our memories and always hold her close in our hearts. She will be deeply missed by her devoted husband of 53 years, John W. Damon II, their three children, families and grandchildren, friends and former dance students.

Virginia Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Curtis Eugene Crawford and Estelle Diana Kirk Crawford ReSier.

Virginia Lou is survived by her husband, John Wiley Damon of West Columbia; three children, daughter Diana Damon Walker and son-in-law Steve, of Alpine, Texas, Virginia "Ginny Kate " Damon Shackelford and son-in-law David, of West Columbia; John Wesley Damon of Old Ocean; her adopted daughter, Shelley Winn Damon of Austin, and her stepdaughter, Jonna Ruth Woodburn, of Midlothian; five grandchildren, Molly Katharine , Samuel Steven and Travis Damon Walker of Alpine; Sally Kate and George Wiley Shackelford of West Columbia; great-granddaughter, Lila Kate Shackelford of West Columbia; and dearly loved family friend Dorothy Paul Lewis of Brazoria.

The family would like to thank Virginia Lou's friends and dance students for their prayers, kindnesses, cards and good wishes during her illness.

Final arrangements were made by Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City, Texas.

Pallbearers for the service were George W. Shackelford,, Samuel Walker, Travis Walker, Gary Graham, P.T. Brunner and Jack Patterson.

Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Roy Ledbetter, Clyde McKinney, David Toney, Charlie Ogilvie and James Farmer.