Virginia B. McElyea, 69, passed away on March 25, 2017. Virginia received her bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee in 1969. She received two master's degrees and a doctoral degree in curriculum and supervision from the University of Georgia in 1984. That same year she accepted a position as an assistant superintendent of the Paradise Valley School District, in Phoenix, AZ. Virginia went on to successfully hold various leadership positions within the Phoenix Union School District and the Deer Valley Unified School District, where in 2009 she received the prestigious award of Arizona State Superintendent of the Year. From 2011 to 2016, Virginia was the Executive Director of the Teacher Incentive Fund Grant in ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. She was predeceased by her husband David E. McElyea. She is survived by a son, a grandson, a brother, nephew and niece. Memorial Service to celebrate Virginia's life will be held onThursday, April 6, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at Hansen Desert Hills Memorial Park, 6500 East Bell Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to: The Virginia and David McElyea Scholarship Fund c/o Deer Valley Education Foundation 20402 N. 15th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85027. (Source: Arizona Republic)