Virginia Nadine Flood

Virginia Nadine Flood, cherished mother, grandmother, dedicated educator, and adored church member passed away peacefully on April 27, 2024, at her home in Carson, California, at the age of 94. Virginia (née Warder) who also went by Ginny, was born on September 17, 1929, in Ellsworth, Kansas to Reverend Werner F and Beulah Warder. The hospital had just been constructed and Virginia was the first Black baby born in the new hospital. Virginia grew up with her family in Paola, Kansas. Throughout her life Virginia sustained a profound commitment to her family and community. She faced life’s challenges with love, resilience, and a touch of dry humor.

Virginia earned her degree from Ursuline college before receiving a scholarship and enrolling in Kansas City college a training school for Christian women. Virginia moved to Philadelphia to continue her education, where she developed a lifelong passion for teaching. During her thirty years as an educator, she inspired and shaped young minds.

Virginia met and married the love of her life, Landus Flood. They met in Kansas and he served in the army in Korea when she was educated in Philadelphia. When he returned, they moved to Compton, California before moving to Carson. Virginia and Landus built a loving home that valued education and the arts, fostering an environment rich with learning and creativity. Together, they raised three boys; Reginald, who became a poet and an educator, Gary, a soul food and sushi chef, and Kenny, a notable jazz musician.

As a dedicated church member, Virginia’s faith was a guiding light throughout her life, reflecting in her kindness and unwavering support for those around her. Virginia's independence and spirit were evident to the end. At the age of 89, she traveled across the country to attend both of her granddaughters' graduations, journeying from California to Seattle and Hartford, Connecticut, embodying her unparalleled devotion to her family.

Virginia is now reunited with her husband Landus, her dear son Gary, her brother Nathaniel, and her kindred spirit Dolores who joined the ancestral plain before her. She is survived by her beloved sons, Kenneth and Reginald, her treasured grandchildren Ben Landus, Virginia Estelle, Maddie Christine, and Lucas Mark, and her brothers Bob, John, and William.

Virginia was the keeper of her children and grandchildren’s dreams and ambitions. She was constantly rooting for us, a fierce advocate and resource provider, always ready with a listening ear and magnificent advice. Her legacy of is one of love, tenacity, faith, pursuing and sharing knowledge, and dedication to the arts. She moved the minds of many and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Virginia’s life and legacy on June 1st at Faith United Methodist Church in Torrance at 11am with the burial at Green Hills in Rancho Palos Verdes at 1pm with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the YMCA in Virginia’s honor.

May her soul rest in peace, and her memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.