She began teaching at Lamar University in 1961 in the Home Economics Department. She taught there thirty-three years. During that time she had many awards and achievements, including the Regent's Merit Award for Distinguished Teaching. She served for a time as department head. She was designated Certified Family Life Educator Emeritus by the National Council on Family Relations. She helped to develop the certification requirements for family life educators that were adopted as a national standard. Virginia always kept an open door policy for her students. She was a much loved and respected "favorite teacher" by many. Read her complete obituary here.