Cynthia "Tang" Alberta McGilvary

Cynthia Alberta McGilvary was called home peacefully on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, in New Kent, Virginia, at home in the arms of her husband and son. “Tang,” as she was affectionately called, life began on June 7, 1954, in Williamsburg, Virginia. She fought a long and hard battle, and, in the end, God led her to peace after preparing a place for her.

At an early age, Tang accepted Christ as her personal Savior and joined Zion Baptist Church.  Later in life, she joined hands in fellowship with St. Luke Baptist Church.

Tang was educated in the Williamsburg-James City County Public School System and graduated from James Blair High School in 1972. She worked various jobs before beginning a career with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as a bus driver, retiring in 2019 with twenty-seven years of dedicated service. After retiring, she worked for the New Kent County Public Schools until 2022 as a bus aide and found purpose in supporting school-aged children. She loved greeting “her babies,” as she called them daily.

In 1987, Tang met the love of her life, Hugh Mcgilvary, Jr. (Bubba), and moved to the Plum Point area of New Kent, Virginia. They were married on July 10, 1999, and were blessed with two children, Hugh McGilvary III and Lacey McGilvary; two stepchildren, Latisha Watson and Angel Washington (Perry); and four step-grandchildren, Leah Neale, Ariana Holloway, and Gabrielle and Nyla Washington.  She also helped raise the last of her five siblings.

Tang enjoyed dancing, shopping, laughing, cooking, playing bingo, attending Friday night card parties with friends, and going to the casino to play the penny machines. She had many talents and enjoyed taking care of people. She also enjoyed being “on the move” and will be missed by all who knew her.

Cynthia was preceded in death by her mother, Lucy Robertson; sisters, Doris Walker and Ernestine Vaughn; brothers, John Robertson, Jr and Freddie Robertson.

She leaves to cherish her memories four sisters, Carolyn Baker (Nat) and Clarine Bowman, all of Williamsburg, Virginia, Sharese Cowles (Donald) of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Vanessa Scales (Carl) of Michigan; six brothers, Keith Robertson (Sherry) of Tennessee, Macell Robertson of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Lawrence Robertson, Larry Robertson, James Robertson, and Preston Frazier (Vivian), all of Williamsburg, Virginia; mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Mcgilvary of New Kent, Virginia; sister-in-law, Sheila Akrie (Jeff) of New Kent, Virginia; brother-in-law, Stacey McGilvary of New Kent, Virginia; close girlfriends, Delphine Gray, Chiffone Hawkins, Bernette Piggott, Kathy Moore, and Rosa Walker; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A service to celebrate Tang's life will be held at Noon Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at Bethel Restoration Center.  Livestream will be available at the beginning of the service.  Interment to follow in St. Luke Baptist Church Cemetery, Plum Point.  Mrs. McGilvary may be viewed on Monday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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