Virginia Willoughby Paul, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Sept. 9, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

She was born Aug. 4, 1919, in St. Louis, daughter of Albert Newton and Frances MaGee Willoughby. She and the Rev. Morris Otis Paul were married March 31, 1940, in St. Louis. He died Aug. 7, 1957.

She was a graduate of Ben Blewett High School in St. Louis, Mo. and a graduate of Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo.

Mrs. Paul had been a probation officer for teenagers. She was a graduate of Ben Blewett High School in St. Louis, Mo., and Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo. She was an auxiliary member of Mid-America Teen Challenge, volunteer for Prison Fellowship Ministries, and volunteer for Reach for Recovery of American Cancer Society.

She was instrumental in starting Christian Women's Club of Cape County, was a coordinator with Friendship Bible Coffees for many years, and was a member of Southeast Hospice Team. She was a member of La Croix United Methodist Church and was a Stephen minister and served on the prayer team at the church.

Survivors include two sons, Robert Paul of Winston-Salem, N.C., John Paul of Eureka, Mont.; a daughter, Ginger Shearon of Jackson, Mo.; six grandchildren, Stefanie Jackson of Nashville, Tenn., Kelly Loewen of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Sarah Crevier of Kalispell, Mont., Elliot Shearon of Cape Girardeau, Jonathan and Kelsie Shearon of Jackson; four great-grandchildren, Ashley, Austin and Amber Crevier of Kalispell, and MacKenzie Shearon of Jackson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, and two sisters.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at La Croix United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ron Watts officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mid-America Teen challenge, Prison Fellowship Ministries, or La Croix United Methodist Church Building Fund.