Doris Virginia Krottinger Hendricks was born June 18, 1931, in Wichita Falls to Herman and Emma (Laukhuf) Krottinger and died Oct. 23, 2021, in Wichita Falls at age 90.

Virginia was the last of six children born to her Krottinger parents. Virginia was born prematurely at her parents' home on Route 6, now Bonny Drive. Left for dead by a doctor, Virginia survived after a family friend used a makeshift incubator and fed goat's milk to the two-pound newborn, who fit inside a cigar box.

Virginia attended Howard School, Zundelowitz Junior High School and Wichita Falls High School, where she was a clarinet player and twirler in the Coyote Band. She later attended Hardin College, now MSU Texas, while working at various jobs for her older brothers. Despite her short stature, Virginia played basketball with the Hardin women's team.

Virginia met her Michigan-born husband-to-be, Richard George Hendricks, an active U.S. Air Force service member stationed at Sheppard AFB, in May 1951 in front of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wichita Falls. They married at the same church on May 15, 1952.

The family expanded with three sons who grew up as Richard and Virginia worked at Sheppard AFB as civilian employees, Richard as an aircraft mechanic and Virginia as a procurement and military/industrial clerk/typist. When Richard was employed by American Airlines in 1969, the couple moved in the following decades to various metros with airports where American operated, including Detroit, Dallas, Tulsa, New York City and San Antonio. Before she retired, Virginia worked for other Defense Department contractors, including Bell Helicopter in the Fort Worth area.

Virginia enjoyed traveling, especially to the couple's second homes in Maui, Hawaii, Tucson, Arizona, and Corpus Christi's North Padre Island. In retirement, Virginia pursued beading. Her jewelry benefited several Wichita Falls charities. Virginia also volunteered many years at the Rathgeber Hospitality House and United Regional Hospital's gift shop. She and Richard also were volunteer deliverers for Meals on Wheels in Wichita Falls. Richard preceded Virginia in death at age 85 on Aug. 12, 2016.

Virginia dearly loved her large family and her many friends, who all will miss her greatly. She is survived by her children: David and Lucila Hendricks of San Antonio, Dennis and Doreen Hendricks of Wichita Falls, and Danny and fiancé Donna Bryant-Green of Waurika, Oklahoma. Her five grandchildren are Emily Hendricks of San Antonio, Dwayne Hendricks of Buffalo, N.Y., Rachel Zelenskiy of San Francisco, Cecilia Mason of Burleson, and Alexandra Hendricks of Wichita Falls. Virginia also is survived by numerous nephews, nieces, great and great great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, at Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home, 2812 Midwestern Parkway. The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29th, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1417 11th St. Interment will follow at Crestview Memorial Park under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home.

Memorial gifts should be sent to Rathgeber Hospitality House, 1615 12th St., Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lunnscolonial.com .