Virginia Soden

Viewing

Friday, September 19, 2025 |Time: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Howell Funeral Home| 10220 Guilford Road| Jessup, Maryland 20794

Service

Saturday, September 20, 2025 |Wake: 10:00 a.m.| Service: 11:00 a.m.

Living Word international Church|16819 New Hampshire Avenue| Silver Spring, Maryland

Interment

Arlington National Cemetery

Obituary

Mrs. Virginia Doris Johnson Soden, affectionately known as “Doris,” “Ginny,” and “Bird,” was born on April 13, 1946, in Wilmington, North Carolina, to the late Eugene Sr. and Evelyn Hansley Johnson. She departed this earthly life on September 3, 2025, at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Virginia grew up in Wilmington alongside her siblings, the late Eugene Johnson Jr., Barbara Dixon, Timothy Johnson, and Yvonne Fisher. Her upbringing in post–World War II North Carolina shaped her strong values of resilience, faith, and family.

She was educated in the New Hanover County Public Schools before attending North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where she became actively involved in civil rights efforts. During her time at A&T, she discovered her true calling in nursing and, in 1968, earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Upon graduation, she was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Army Nurse Corps. At a time when few women—especially African American women—pursued higher education in nursing, Virginia’s accomplishments broke barriers and opened doors for others to follow.

Her love of learning continued throughout her life. She pursued additional studies at Rutgers University in Alcohol Studies (1973), earned a Master’s degree in Community Health Nursing from the University of Maryland in 1974, and furthered her expertise in Epidemiology at the University of Minnesota in 1976.

In 1972, while pursuing her master’s degree in nursing at the University of Maryland, Virginia met the love of her life, Cylburn Earl Soden, a third-year medical student. At their first meeting, a mutual friend surprised Cylburn by predicting they would one day marry. That prediction came true when they wed on September 7, 1974, at Douglas Memorial Baptist Church in Baltimore. Together, they built a life of faith, love, and family. They were blessed with two children: Dr. Cylburn Earl Soden Jr. (b. 1977) and Marina Marilyn Spenner (b. 1985).

Virginia’s nursing career spanned more than 57 years, with roles including staff nurse, nursing supervisor, medical legal consultant, epidemiologist, community health nurse, operating room nurse, and nursing instructor at Bowie State University. Her service extended beyond civilian work. When she and Dr. Soden were stationed in Würzburg, West Germany, she proudly served as Chief of Preventive Medicine at the U.S. Army MEDDAC Hospital and as joint Chief of the Child Protective Counsel. After 20 years of dedicated service, she retired from the Army Nurse Corps in 1988 as a Lieutenant Colonel, having earned numerous honors for her exemplary leadership and performance.

In addition to nursing, Virginia contributed to medical research, co-authoring several peer-reviewed publications in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. She later applied her organizational and business skills to help manage the family’s dermatology practice in Laurel, Maryland.

Virginia and her family began attending Living Word International Christian Church (formerly Immanuel’s Church) in 1989. She and her beloved husband, Dr. Cyl, soon became devoted members and faithfully served in numerous ministries throughout the years. Together, they led the Royal Guard Usher Ministry and Health Ministry. Virginia also completed the Ministerial Development Program at Living Word and was commissioned as a Licensed Minister. She later led the Prayer and Altar Team Ministry, offering her time, talents, compassion, and dedication. In recent years, she continued to serve with grace as a member of the Worship Center Beautification Team. Virginia’s deep faith and commitment to the House of the Lord left a lasting legacy in the lives of all who knew and loved her.

A devoted wife, mother, and mentor, Virginia poured her wisdom and encouragement into her family and countless women she counseled on education, career, business, and faith. She was especially proud of creating one of the family’s first “Vision Boards” in the 1980s, guiding dreams that became realities through prayer, planning, and hard work. Beyond her biological children, Virginia also embraced many others as her own—affectionately known as “Mom” or “Mama Soden” to the spiritual daughters and sons she guided with love, counsel, and prayer throughout her life.

Virginia’s greatest joy was her family. She loved cooking hearty meals, hosting Christmas gatherings, summer pool parties, and special celebrations that turned her home into the cherished “House”—a gathering place for relatives and friends to enjoy laughter, love, and fellowship. She balanced her professional achievements with her devotion as a wife and mother, making her family her highest calling.

Virginia Doris Johnson Soden leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, strength, and unconditional love. Her life’s impact will live on in her husband, children, extended family, and her many spiritual and adopted children, as well as the countless lives she touched.

She is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Cylburn Soden Sr.; her son, Dr. Cylburn Soden Jr. (Kinosha); her daughter, Marina Soden Spenner (David); her sister, Yvonne Fisher; three grandchildren, Genesis Jefferson, Cylburn Soden III, Mason Spenner, and another on the way; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of family and friends.