Julia Virginia "Ginger" Vernon Longcrier

Julia Virginia (“Ginger”) Vernon Longcrier, 73, of Evans, Georgia, entered Heaven from her residence on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at approximately 6:00 AM. Ginger’s family will visit with her many friends from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM, on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Platt’s Funeral Home, 337 North Belair Road, Evans, Georgia (https://www.plattsfuneralhome.com/). A Celebration of Ginger’s Life service will follow, beginning at 2:00 PM, with the Reverend Brian Marsh officiating.

Ginger was born at John Randolph Hospital in Hopewell, Virginia, to Homer Millard Vernon and Annie Odom Hudgins Vernon, at 3:23 PM on Tuesday, November 28, 1950. Her family lived in Hopewell, then subsequently in the Mount Blanco community of Chesterfield County, Virginia, before moving to Evans, Georgia in 1963.

Ginger graduated from Evans High School in 1968, then from Auburn University in 1972, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. At Evans High School she was Co-Captain of the cheerleading squad, basketball Homecoming Queen, member of the Beta Club, girls basketball team, yearbook staff, and football Homecoming Court. At Auburn University she participated in its student chapter of the American Institute of Interior Designers, and was one of the “Loveliest on the Plains” according to the Auburn Plainsman student newspaper.

Ginger worked in her chosen field of interior design for several years, before owning and operating a commercial bakery. In later years she was the webmaster and newsletter editor for a non-profit organization.

Ginger married Steven (“Steve”) White Longcrier on Saturday, January 18, 1997 at First Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia. They resided in Evans for their entire almost 27 years together. They raised their son, Christian, and during varying periods owned four dogs (Brutus, Belle, Lady and Little Bit) and one guinea pig (Bweep). Most of all, Ginger loved her husband, their son, her family and friends, and her Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart.

Ginger was a lifelong lover of animals, especially horses, owning several different horses during her life. She was also a very talented artist and writer, especially of children’s stories. Ginger’s other interests included organic gardening, and homeopathic and natural medicine. She home schooled her son, Christian, from elementary through high school. Ginger spent countless hours researching and studying every subject herself before preparing each day’s lesson plan. With her husband, she also assisted in the dramatic, dance, and athletic activities of their son.

Ginger was preceded in death by her parents, and by her brother Homer “Millard” Vernon, Jr. She is survived by her husband Steve Longcrier of Evans, Georgia, their son Christian Vernon Bragan Longcrier and his fiancé Kaitlyn Helene McDermitt, both of Nashville, Tennessee, sister Rebecca (“Becky”) Anne Vernon Blanchard and her husband The Honorable James (“Jim”) Gordon Blanchard, Jr. of Augusta, Georgia, brother Dr. Michael (“Mike”) Odom Vernon and his wife Deborah (“Debbie”) Jean Carter Vernon of Evans, Georgia, sister Molly Hudgins Vernon Clifton and her husband Stephen (“Steve”) Dowis Clifton of Evans, Georgia, sister Marya Robyn Vernon Elrod and her husband Robert (“Bob”) Francis Elrod, Jr. of Franklin, Tennessee, sister-in-law Glenda Roberta Henicle Vernon (Homer “Millard” Vernon, Jr.) of Evans, Georgia, brother-in-law Henry (“Hank”) Leslie Longcrier, III and his wife Ruth “Ellen” Carpenter Longcrier of Lindale, Texas, brother-in-law Michael Cason Longcrier of Dallas, Texas, eighteen nieces and nephews, their spouses and children, many cousins, and others.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ginger Longcrier’s name can be donated to Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs, 1123 Edgefield Highway, Aiken, South Carolina 29801 (https://greatoakeap.org/), or to the Mesulam Center at Northwestern University, designated for Primary Progressive Aphasia (“PPA”) research (https://www.brain.northwestern.edu/dementia/primary-progressive-aphasia/index.html).