Virginia Riddick Gomes
”The Quilt Lady”

April 25, 1923 - August 27, 2016

Virginia Riddick Gomes was born to the late John and Bruce Riddick Branch in Whaleyville, VA on April 23, 1923, she was educated in Whaleyville Public Schools. He education far exceeded the school system, being a student in many subjects including gardening, holisitc health, cooking, politics, American hostory and many others. As an experienced baker, she enjoyed trying new recipes and giving away her creations to loved ones. Virginia was the family historian and maintained an extensive collection of photographs, letters and other documentation regarding her family. Widely known as a master quilt maker, she created intricate, colorful pieces of art that she would give away to family members and friends. Virginia was a hard-working person, often maintaining multiple jobs at the same time. She was a licensed barber and also worked as a waitress. She had many hobbies, though her greatest passion was her family, demonstrated by her active involvement with all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“Fifty-Four Forty or Fight”

Most of the stories behind our traditional quilt blocks were taken from history. In Colonial days, women weren’t permitted to vote. The block “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight” was one of their very strong political expressions, named to show support for the United States in its boundary dispute with England in the 1840’s, and later used in the Underground Railroad. When hung out on a clothes line, it was a signal to runaway slaves that they would be safe in that home. Missouri was a border state between the North and South, so that’s why the Underground Railroad was so active there. “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight” is one of the patterns in which the name has never been changed.