DOVER, Del. - Virginia Spires, 76, of Dover, passed away Sunday, March 13, 2011, at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital surrounded by her family. Mrs. Spires was born in Crisfield, Md., on May 22, 1934, to Mary Matthews and John W. Franklin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy L. Spires, who was employed at the Dover Air Force Base. Mrs. Spires Loved her family, reading her books, caring for her pets, and tending her home and her back yard rose garden where family often gathered. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mrs. Spires is survived by three children, Cynthia L. Lane of Clayton, Richard L. Spires of Dover, and Teresa Cox and her husband William Cox Sr. of Camden; four grandchildren, Catherine Weishaupt and her husband Jonathan, William Cox Jr., Denise Lane, and Anthony Cox; and four great-grandchildren, Mark, Kaitlyn, Hannah and Nicholas. Funeral services were noon, Friday, March 18, 2011, at the Bradshaw and Sons Funeral Home, Crisfield, where friends called one hour prior. Interment immediately followed at the Sunnyridge Cemetery, Crisfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to be sent to the American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic, 3001 Old Gettysburg Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com