Virginia Richardson Manchester, age 85, passed away January 27, 2022.
Ginia was born on February 28, 1936, to Eloise Fergerson and William S. Richardson at
Riverside Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky. She was raised at her maternal family home,
Woodly, by her mother Eloise and stepfather Matthew Habacker, and grandparents Violet and
Edgar Fergerson. At Woodly, she discovered her lifelong passion for horses and was able to
ride the county atop her horse, Laddie. Throughout her local school years, Ginia participated
in horseshows throughout the region.
Ginia graduated from high school at the National Cathedral School in Washington, DC, in 1954.
She then attended St. Mary’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina. After junior college she was
enrolled at the University of Kentucky where she was a member of Chi Omega.
Upon returning to Paducah, Ginia was active in the Charity League and the Paducah Garden
Club for many years. She taught riding lessons at Carson Park and served as a teacher’s aide at
Brazelton Junior High (Paducah Middle School) for ten years. She was known to many as she
worked at Party Mart, Gourmet Galley, and at the River Discovery Center. Most recently she
was active with the Paducah Kennel Club where she taught and exhibited in obedience classes
with her Parson Jack Russell Terriers Puddie and Briar and in agility classes with Deacon.
Ginia is survived by daughter Catherine Hart and husband Mark of Gilbertsville, Kentucky,
daughter Laura Manchester of Dallas, Texas, and sister Eugenia Habacker Drossos (Basil) of
Paducah, two grandsons, Jonathan Hart (Stephanie) of Gilbertsville, and Taylor Hart of
Louisville, great-granddaughter Miriam Hart of Gilbertsville, and nephews Mathew Drossos of
Washington, DC, and Reid Drossos of Denver, Colorado.
The family gives special thanks to the nurses of Parkview Nursing Home and Mercy Health
Hospice Care for their kindness and compassion.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Paducah Kennel Club (P.O. BOX 373, Paducah,
KY. 42002-0373).
A memorial service for family and friends will be held in the Memorial Garden of Grace
Episcopal Church on Tuesday, February 1, at 10:30 AM. Arrangements are being made by
Milner & Orr Funeral Home.