Roll Call Tribute

Virginia Ellen "Ginger" Metz 

May 8, 1941 - December 3, 2023 

Virginia Ellen “Ginger” Metz, age 82, of Huntsville, Texas, passed away on December 3, 2023. She was born on May 8, 1941, in Washington, D.C., to the late Robert N. Walker and Dorothy Walker. Ginger was a beloved mother, stepmother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Ginger had a kind and generous spirit that lit up every room she entered. She was known for her caring nature, especially towards children and the disadvantaged. After graduating from Penn State University, she dedicated her life to education, starting as a secondary school English teacher in Corning, New York, and Gilbert, Iowa. She then went on to work for many years at the Region VI Education Service Center in Huntsville. She also taught courses in education at Sam Houston State University.

Ginger’s passion for helping others extended beyond the classroom, as she volunteered for many years with the Huntsville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and CASA of Walker County, a nonprofit advocate for children and families in the child protection system. She was a strong supporter of the Boys and Girls Club of Walker County and the Rita B. Huff animal shelter.

In her free time, Ginger loved to fish, particularly in the early mornings at “zero-dark-thirty” with her late husband, Bob Metz. She also loved playing cards and other games, especially Samba, for hours with her close friends. She found joy in volunteering at the First Christian Church and attending weekly Bible Study meetings in her Elkins Lake neighborhood. Additionally, Ginger enjoyed playing golf, bowling, and other activities that allowed her to interact with a wide range of people, many of whom eventually became part of her sprawling extended family. She always had a taste for travel, exploration, and adventure and, in addition to cruises and tours of Europe, she would drive for hours at the drop of a hat to visit a family member or friend.

Ginger’s support for diversity was deeply rooted in her personal experiences. Having attended segregated schools in Arlington, Virginia, during the 1940s and 1950s, she became a strong advocate for racial equality—and a long-time supporter of the Democratic Party— throughout her adult life. Ginger and her first husband, Dave Graham, adopted their son James in 1970, becoming one of the first mixed-race families in Ames, Iowa. When asked what prompted her to adopt a Black son, she said: “Everybody deserves a good family, and he was the baby I wanted. I also foolishly thought that, after the Civil Rights legislation passed in the late 1960s, racism would soon disappear in America. Turns out, I was wrong. But I sure wasn’t wrong to adopt Jamie.”

Ginger is survived by her sons, James, and Lee Graham, as well as her stepsons, Ernest Metz and Douglas Cheville. She is also survived by her brother, Tom Walker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Metz Sr., her stepson, Robert Metz Jr., her sister, Marilyn Follin, and her parents.

Ginger educational journey was marked by her dedication to the English language. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Penn State University. She further pursued her passion for English by obtaining a Master's degree from Iowa State University and a PhD from Texas A&M University.

Ginger worshipped at the First Christian Church in Huntsville, Texas, where she found solace and community. Her faith was an important touchstone throughout her life.

A memorial service to celebrate Ginger’s life will be held at the First Christian Church, located at 1800 Ave R, Huntsville, Texas. Visitation will begin at 10am, followed by the memorial service at 11am. A light lunch will be served after the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Ginger’s memory to CASA of Walker County at https://casaofwalkercounty.org or the First Christian Church of Huntsville at https://www.fcchtx.org. 

Ginger’s warm smile, caring heart, and dedication to helping others will be cherished an remembered by all whose lives she touched. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and a commitment to making the world a better place.