Virginia "Ginger" Shults, age 55 of Austin, TX, formerly of Everton, AR went home to be with God Wednesday, June 28, 2006 in Austin. She was the 100th baby born at the Boone County Hospital in Harrison, AR March 6, 1951.

"Ginger would want everyone to know that she is not dead but has just begun to live the most exciting part of her life".

She is now with her brothers and all her loved ones who have left this world.

She was a graduate of St. Joe High School and the University of Central Arkansas. Since 1992, she had lived in Austin, TX and served as the Vice President of the Austin Federation of Musicians, where she worked as an advocate for Central Texas Musicians. Prior to that, she lived in Little Rock, AR where she was employed as a Public Affairs/Information Specialist with the Arkansas Department of Human Services. She was active in many community organizations and a long-time advocate of mental health issues. She fulfilled her dreams of travel by taking many trips throughout the United States and Europe, and counted people from all over the world among her friends. She loved poetry, gardening, laughing, and visiting her family in the Ozarks. Her life was so full of joy and love that she often commented that no one could have a better life than she did.

She was an active member of the Sunrise Community Church in Austin, where she participated in numerous activities including Bible School and the Confident Kids Program. She loved working with children and believed that most important thing one could teach a child was high self-esteem. It was very important to her for others to feel good about themselves. She prayed all the time for others, especially for her family and friends who did not know God. It was her greatest wish that they would come to know God.

She is survived by her husband, Ernie Durawa of Austin; two step-sons, Mike Durawa of Austin and Jeff Durawa of Birmingham, AL; a step-granddaughter, Kala Durawa and step-grandson, Domingo Durawa; her mother, Ida Belle Shults; a brother, Steve Shults of Everton; two aunts, Lea Robertson of Everton and Iva Denny of Harrison; cousins, Kathy and Dennis Reeves, Larry and Marla Keithley, Justin Keithley, and Frank and Ricki Reeves of Everton; Cecilia and Greg Lynn, Annabella Lynn, Traley Lynn, and Brianna Heard of St. Joe; Charles Reeves of Harrison; Jim and Linda Shults of Bruno, and Lora Meschkat of North Dakota; Austin Lawrence of Missouri; and many long time friends, all whom she loved as if they were family. She was preceded in death by her father, Ira Shults; two brothers, Danny and Randy Shults; her grandmother, Effie Brown Keithley and uncles, Otis, Bert, and Harse Keithley. Garl and Rex Shults, Walt Denny and Cecil Robertson.

The family would like to thank all the musicians in Austin for the support and love given to Ginger during her illness, and to the Doctors, Nurses, and Staff of Southwest Regional Cancer Center.

Service was Monday, July 3 at Coffman Chapel in Harrison with Rev. Rodney Stromlund officiating. Burial was in Beckham Cemetery. Visitation was held at the funeral home.