Virginia VanlaninghamVirginia Ruth Scott Vanlaningham, 101, passed away Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Sunset Vista, Silver City, NM. A Graveside Service will be held at Mesa Cemetery, in Gila, NM on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 10:00am.

She was born September 5, 1915 in the old Cliff Hotel, Cliff, New Mexico to John Rolla Scott and Rebecca Elizabeth Scott (Nee Slate). She was their only child. After graduating from Cliff High School in 1934, she married Keith Norman Vanlaningham on May 18, 1935. From 1936 until 1942 Virginia and Keith lived in the mining town of Mogollon New, Mexico. In 1945 they bought their home near Cliff.

During World War II, she and Keith worked in the San Pedro, California shipyards building ice breakers that greatly helped the war effort. She took over the Cliff School bus run after Keith suffered a heart attack in 1952 and decided to retire due to health concerns in 1958. Virginia continued until her retirement for a total of 41 years. She lived through World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the first Gulf War, and the longest war in America’s history, the current war in the Middle East.

Survived by her daughters Mary Catlett and Dorothy Minor. Two grandchildren Scott Catlett and Sandra Lessor, and two great-grandchildren Keith Catlett and Emma Catlett. Preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her contemporaries. She was very devoted to her parents and watched over them until their deaths.

She maintained her love of life until the end. She was brave, feisty, and worked hard. She loved to fish, look for artifacts, travel and work alongside Keith, she canned, sewed, quilted, raised pigs and chickens and remembered growing up during the depression. She will be dearly missed. Bright Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, “Traditional Services and Care for your family and friends,” 210 W. College Ave., Silver City, New Mexico 88061. Phone 575-388-1911. Remembrances can be made at www.brightfuneral .net