Julia Mountines Crenshaw Pryor departed this life on Friday, February 4, 2022, at Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center. She was born in Chester, VA to the late Thomas Alexander Crenshaw and Nannie Alice Sheppard Crenshaw of Chester, VA. She was the sixth of nine children born to them. She married her college sweetheart, James Garland Pryor in June 1968 who preceded her in death.

Julia went to Chesterfield Public Schools and graduated from Carver High School in Chester, VA with honors. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Virginia State University (VSU) in Petersburg, VA having majored in Vocational Industrial Education specializing in Cosmetology and Barbering. While at VSU, she was a member of Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Society. She received a Master of Education Degree in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA wherein she made a perfect score on the Comprehensive Examination. Further graduate studies were matriculated at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, VA, James Madison University in Harrisburg, VA, Catholic University in Washington, D.C., University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA and the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C.

Julia taught in the Virginia Public School System for thirty-nine consecutive years in Amelia, Henrico, and Arlington counties as a Vocational Teacher for elementary, secondary, and adult students. In June 2002, she retired from teaching. Congruently, she was the proprietor of Julia's Beaute' Suite in Old Town Alexandria, VA for twenty-eight years. She enjoyed rendering distinctive beauty services to men, women, and children of all nationalities. In June 1992, she was appointed by Former Governor Lawrence Douglas Wilder of the Commonwealth of Virginia to serve on the Board of Barbers for four years. As Chairman of the Board, she traveled extensively to represent Virginia on the National Barbering Board and was instrumental in writing and scoring the National Barbering Examination.

Julia was an active member of several organizations.  She was a Silver Star Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Zeta Chi Omega Chapter. She was instrumental in managing the Zeta Chi Omega Chapter fashion show's vendors for many years. She was a charter member of the Old Dominion (VA) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated. She was extremely active in the National Organization of Role Models and Mentees, an interest group for The Links, Incorporated. She was also an active member of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Incorporated, Northern Virginia Chapter.

Julia was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings, Thomas Crenshaw, Herman Crenshaw, Ledonia Hill, Melvin Crenshaw, Sr., Shirley Harris, and Mildred Megginson.

She is survived by her sister, Edna C. Mason; her brother, Robert Crenshaw; and a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, and other relatives.

A viewing will be held at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home on Friday, February 18, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and one hour before the funeral service. A funeral service will be held at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at 12:00 PM. Click here to view the funeral service program. The interment will follow at Piney Branch Baptist Church Cemetery.