Virginia "Gingi" Oden Crosby

Virginia “Gingi” Crosby, 77, passed away on November 15, 2025, after a four-year battle with ovarian cancer. Gingi was born on November 14, 1948, inShelbyville, Indiana, the daughter of Russell and Virginia Wright Branson. Gingi was a fun-loving, outgoing person who truly enjoyed life. She tried to make the best of each God given day! She enjoyed spending time with her beautiful family and many wonderful friends.

God blessed her with two beautiful children, Carrie Gray, husband Jason of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Andrew Fansler, wife Carmen of Shelbyville. On June 28, 1998, she married her high school sweetheart, Rick Crosby, and was blessed with three stepchildren: Todd Crosby (Jean) of Carmel, Trisha Tackett (David), and Tracey Tucker (Vince) of Shelbyville. She had 10 grandchildren: Warren and Tanner Gray, Anne Marie and Mollie Fansler, Alexis and Jaidyn Tackett, Molly and Hannah Crosby, and Austin and Abby Tucker. She is also survived by her sister, Trish Cromwell of Ohio; niece Tara Cromwell (Andy); cousins Greg (Marsha) Mings of Shelbyville, Brian Mings and Jeff Mings, both of Arizona; and former mother-in-law, Imogene Fansler of Waldron.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Rick, and her brother-in-law, Bill Cromwell.

Gingi graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1967. She continued her education, graduating from Indiana State University with a BS degree in education with an Early Childhood Endorsement, as well as a master’s degree in education from Indiana University. She taught first grade at Southwestern Elementary for 39 years. She was dedicated to children and embraced her job. She loved teaching!

Gingi was a lifetime member of First Christian Church, where she served as an Elder. She was a member of the Women’s Group and a past Bible School teacher and Deaconess. She loved her church and her church family. Gingi loved her community of Shelbyville and proudly served as a member of the Women’s Alliance at MHP and the Foundation Board at MHP. She planned to serve as the Vice President of the Women’s Alliance for 2026, despite her illness being in its advanced stages. She enjoyed volunteering in the sewing room at MHP, where she made items for patients. She was a past member of Tri Kappa Sorority and the Mary Mott chapter of DAR. An avid reader and a player of games was how she drew people together. Gingi was a member of a bridge club for over 50 years and also belonged to several other game clubs and a golf group that she cherished, often having two to three social engagements in the same day. She would not tell you no to a social activity. She was a die-hard IU basketball fan and loved watching the Indiana Pacers.

Gingi loved to travel, but the beaches of Boca Grande, Florida, were her favorite. She enjoyed spending time in her Florida condo with her family and the many Florida friends she made over the years in the Fiddler’s Green Community in Englewood.

The family would like to thank her son, Andrew, and daughter-in-law, Carmen, for their steadfast love and incredible caretaking skills over the last four years, as well as her team of doctors at Community MD Anderson Cancer Center, especially Liz, and the wonderful team at MHP in Shelbyville. To honor Gingi, we ask that you call up a group of friends and play a round of Mahjong, dominoes, cards, or your favorite game.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm, Thursday, November 20, 2025 and from 9 to 10 am, Friday, November 21, 2025, at the First Christian Church, 118 W. Washington St. in Shelbyville.

Funeral services will follow at the church, with the Reverends Ralph Botte and Bill Horner officiating.

Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville.

Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.

Donations to the Educational Scholarship fund for Gingi Crosby at Blue

River Community Foundation, 54 W. Broadway, Suite 1, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or First Christian Church of Shelbyville.

Online condolences may be shared with Gingi’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.