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Alvin J. Pinder, 68
FEDERALSBURG, Md. - Alvin J. Pinder of Federalsburg died Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford, Del. He was 68.
Mr. Pinder was born July 1, 1934 in Greenwood, Del., son of Gilbert Pinder and Cora Tull Pinder.
He retired from the United States Air Force in 1972 after serving more than 20 years.
Mr. Pinder enjoyed fishing, hunting, guns, country music, parties and people.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Filbert Pinder.
He is survived by three sons, Gilbert Pinder of Bridgeville, Del., Tom Pinder of Forest City, N.C. and Walter Pinder of Tucson, Ariz.; two daughters, Leta Banks of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Sheila Pinder of Milford, Del.; a sister, Hilda Maloney of Thompsonville, Del.; and eight grandchildren, David, Joe, Stacey, Harry, Erik, Gilbert B., Josh and Destiny.
Services will be 2 p.m. Friday in the Fleischauer Funeral Home, 48 W. Market St., Greenwood, Del., where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in St. Johnstown Cemetery, Greenwood, Del.
Roy D. Smith, 80
DOVER - Roy D. Smith of Dover died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, in his home. He was 80.
Mr. Smith was born Jan. 4, 1923, in Defiance, Ohio, son of the late Guy and Mary Berg Smith.
He was a truck driver for King Trucking, a long hauler freight company.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ginnie, in 1990.
He is survived by a son, David Smith of Sylvania, Ohio; a daughter, Tina Wilhelm of Defiance, Ohio; and a brother, Marvin Smith of New Bavaria, Ohio.
Services will be private.
Arrangements by Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover.
Charles R. Thrift, 76
CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Charles R. Thrift of Chestertown died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003, in Kent and Queen Anne's Hospital, Chestertown. He was 76.
Mr. Thrift was born Jan. 29, 1927 in Church Hill, son of the late Clyde Charles and Marie Elison Thrift.
He was a 1945 graduate of Chestertown High School.
Mr. Thrift served his country in the U.S. Army in the European Theatre in the 12th Armored Division under Gen. Patton's command. He was later selected and served in Gen. Patton's Funeral Brigade. After an honorable discharge, he returned to Chestertown.
In 1947, he began working for an asphalt service and later in the 1950s with David A. Bramble Construction as plant manager. He retired in 1993 with more than 40 years in the asphalt industry. Mr. Thrift married Carrie Mae Dulin of Massey, Md. June 29, 1951.
He had a love for woodworking and he had built furniture and remodeled his home. He also enjoyed fishing and crabbing.
Mr. Thrift was a member of the Frank M. Jarman American Legion Post 36 in Chestertown.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Clyde Leroy on Jan. 19, 2003; and two sisters, Doris Loomis and Mildred Walbert.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Michael Dulin Thrift of Chestertown; a daughter, Robin T. Bigelow Cooper of Denton; two sisters, Hilda Raleigh of Fairlee, and Madeline Watts of Glen Burnie; and five grandchildren.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 130 Speer Road, Chestertown.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home.
Burial will be in Church Hill Cemetery.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Kent and Queen Anne's Hospital Foundation, 100 Brown Street, Chestertown, MD 21620 or Kent and Queen Anne's Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 126, Chestertown, MD 21620.
Benjamin 'BenBow' Bowings, 82
DOVER - Benjamin "BenBow" Bowings of Dover died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003, in his residence. He was 82.
Mr. Bowings was born in Buckeystown, Md., son of the late Benjamine F. and Bessie M. Bowings.
After graduating from Frederick (Md.) High School, he later joined the Army Air Corps and retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1967 as a chief warrant officer-4. While in the military, Mr. Bowings was a personnel officer and had served in the Pacific, American and European theaters during World War II. He had received the Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Good Conduct Medal with one cluster and the National Defense Medal with clasp. He also had received all three Theater Medals with a star on the Pacific Theater, the World War II Victory Medal and the Outstanding Unit Award Medal with three clusters.
Mr. Bowings found time to dedicate to a very successful business, BenBows Package Store, which was family-owned and -operated until its sale in 1988, at which time he retired.
An avid gardener, Mr. Bowings grew more than 100 different roses and often opened his garden for public enjoyment. He often donated roses to Kent General Hospital and will be remembered by many as the "Rose Man," as he supplied cut roses to several of the physicians' and dentists' offices in the area. Though active in many organizations, Mr. Bowings was especially proud of being a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, where he held the post of past secretary/treasurer. Mr. Bowings also was a member of the American Legion Walter L. Fox Post 2; the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3238; the National Association for Uniformed Services; the Air Force Association; the Retired Officers Association; Narsarssuak AB (Greenland) Association; and the 2nd Strategic Air Depot Association. Active in civic and community affairs, he had been involved with the Mayfair-Crossgates-Wedgewood Civic Associations and had served as secretary/treasurer for many years with the Mayfair II Association. He also had been a member of the American Air Museum in Britain; the World War II Memorial Society; the Eighth Air Force Museum; and the Kent County Master Gardeners.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by eight sisters and four brothers.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary (May) Long Bowings of Dover; three sons and a daughter-in-law, John P. and Kathleen Bowings of Prosper, Texas, Philip F. Bowings of Austin, Texas, and Earl E. Bowings of Dallas; a daughter and son-in-law, Theresa E. and Matt Staub of Dover; a sister, Mildred Hines of Alexandria, Va.; five grandchildren, Elizabeth White, Sheldon Bowings, C. Richard Bowings and Anita M. Bakro, all of Dallas, and Kaitlyn Rose Staub of Dover; and four great-grandchildren, Dalton and Chase White and Jessica and Brandy Bowings.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso, 1175 S. State St., Dover.
Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Peoples United Church of Christ, 46 S. Bradford St., Dover.
Burial with military honors will be 1 p.m. Monday in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Peoples United Church of Christ, 46 S. Bradford St., Dover, DE 19904.
John Samuel 'Uncle Bubba' Downs, 76
DOVER - John Samuel "Uncle Bubba" Downs of Dover died Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, at Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital. He was 76.
Mr. Downs was born in Eastville, Va., son of the late John D. Downs and Annie Mildred Downs.
He attended public school in Eastville. He moved to Delaware in 1951 where everyone soon got to know him as Uncle Bubba.
He worked various jobs until his health began to fail. He brought laughter and joy to relatives, friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Downs joined Jesus Love Temple Church, Milford, under the leadership of Elder Kevin Smith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Dorothy Downs; five sisters, Lucille Briscoe, Lillie Mae Lister, Elizabeth West, Beatrice Smith and Marie House; and a brother, Joseph Downs.
He is survived by a sister, the Rev. Cordelia Custis of Eastville; a son, Timothy Silvers of Wilmington; nine grandchildren; eight nieces; four nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends; especially Ida Freeman, Willie and Lottie Fogle, and Ed and Sharon Fischer. He could count on his home being cleaned, laundry being done and a list of other needful chores getting done by his niece, Jessie Pinkney, and a friend, Sharon Fischer.
Services will be noon Sunday at Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover, where friends may call two hours earlier.
Frances Corina Murray Haith, 82
SMYRNA - Frances Corina Murray Haith of Smyrna died Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 82.
Mrs. Haith was born May 2, 1920, in Greensboro, N.C., daughter of the late William and Daisy Murray.
She was a faithful member of Mount Olive Pentecostal Church, Smyrna, where she was a mother of the church and a Senior Choir member, served on the Usher Board and was president of the Missionary Department. She also was a cook in the church and a helper with the vacation Bible school. Her favorite song was "I Promised the Lord I Would Hold Out."
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Handy Haith; a daughter, Daisy Barrett; and two grandchildren, Frances Burris Scott and Jason Lee Haith.
She is by survived 11 daughters and eight sons-in-law, Betty Burris of Leipsic, Cynthia and Richard Moses, Shirley and Lucious Palmer and Suevilla Haith, all of Smyrna, Juliet and Louis Caldwell of Cheswold, Sylvia and Leon Brittingham, Lorraine and Ralph Brinkley, and Stephanie and Crosby Bull, all of Dover, Pamela and Raymond Williams, Attlay Pritchett and Nathaniel Bennett, all of Wyoming, and Frances Woods of Greensboro; four sons and two daughters-in-law, James Haith, Jerry Haith, Randolph and Eileen Haith, and Anthony and Debbie Haith, all of Dover; a sister, Catherine Murray of Greensboro; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and church family.
Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Mount Olive Pentecostal Church, Smyrna, where friends may call two hours earlier.
Burial will be in Odd Fellows.
Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
Leroy Handy, 79
SEAFORD - Leroy Handy of Seaford died of heart failure Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford. He was 79.
Mr. Handy was born April 12, 1923, in Seaford.
He was a retired custodian for the Seaford School District.
Mr. Handy was a member of the Refugee Temple Revival Center.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah F. Handy of Seaford; two daughters and a son-in-law, Dorene Bumpass of Dover and Crystal and Johny Dickerson of Salisbury, Md.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Helen Powell of New Castle and Mildred Collins of Camp Spring, Md.; two sisters-in-law, Cora Downing of Seaford and Hattie Thomas of Georgia; three brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law, Charles and Mary Downing of Brockton, Mass., and Roy Downing and Floyd Downing, both of Roxbury, Mass.; an aunt, Bernice Handy of Salisbury; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at the Refugee Temple, Seaford, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Cemetery.
Arrangements by Young's Funeral Home, Milford.
Carmen Eloise Blanchette, 85
HARRINGTON - Carmen Eloise Blanchette of Harrington died Monday, June 7, 2004, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford. She was 85.
Mrs. Blanchette was born in Puerto Rico, daughter of the late Anthony and Carmen (Jimenez) Gelabert.
She was a homemaker who loved to crochet and do embroidery, and was a loving mother and grandmother.
Mrs. Blanchette was a member of St. Bernadette's Catholic Church in Harrington, where she had been a Sunday school teacher for several years in the 1960s. She was also a member of the Harrington Century Club and the Harrington Senior Center.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Irving Blanchette, in February 1988.
She is survived by a daughter and a son-in-law, Anita and Leo Ossman of Dover; a son and a daughter-in-law, Raymond A. and Kathy Blanchette of Harrington; a grandson, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christopher Ossman, stationed in Camp Pendleton, Calif.; two step-granddaughters, Casey Ossman of Smyrna and Cricket Ossman of Rehoboth Beach; two nieces, Marie Bush of Camden, Ark., and JoAnne Donnelly of Ocean Grove, Mass.; and several cousins and close friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday in St. Bernadette's Catholic Church, 109 Dixon St., Harrington.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the St. Bernadette's Grotto Fund, c/o St. Bernadette's Historical Society, 109 Dixon St., Harrington, DE 19952.
Arrangements by McKnatt Funeral Home, Harrington.
Paul M. Burke, 70
DOVER - Paul M. Burke of Dover died Wednesday, June 2, 2004, in Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore. He was 70.
Mr. Burke was born Aug. 28, 1933, in Lee County, Va., son of the late Ezra T. and Maggie Neal Burke.
He had lived in Dover, where he was a welder and mechanic for many years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Madge Minor.
He is survived by two brothers and two sisters-in-law, Marshel and Sylvia Burke of Kingsport, Tenn., and Amos and Peggy Burke of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and several devoted nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Thursday in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
Charles 'Kitty' Collins, 51
SEAFORD - Charles "Kitty" Collins of Seaford died of an intracranial hemorrhage Thursday, June 3, 2004, in Christiana Care-Christiana Hospital, Newark. He was 51.
Mr. Collins was born April 20, 1953, in Visalia, Calif.
He was a fiber stocker for Mundip.
Mr. Collins was a member of Mount Calvary African Methodist Episcopal Church, Concord, near Seaford.
He is survived by his mother, Delores Leong of Visalia; a son, Marvin Collins of San Jose, Calif.; two brothers, Joseph Collins and Jacky Leong, both of San Diego; two sisters, Melinda Collins of Visalia and Kimberly Dailey of San Diego; two grandchildren; and a special friend, Diane Drayton.
Friends may call at 5:30 p.m. today in Young's Funeral Home, 308 N. Front St., Seaford.
Blanche Deloris Connolley, 69
MILLINGTON, Md. - Blanche Deloris Connolley of Millington died Sunday, June 6, 2004, in Christiana Care-Christiana Hospital, Newark, Del. She was 69.
Mrs. Connolley was born July 20, 1934, in Ingleside, daughter of the late Roy and Blanche Thompson.
She had worked for Playtex in Dover, Del., Leeds Travel Ware in Clayton, Del., and the Kitty Knight House in Georgetown. She retired in 1983 after 16 years of service with the Kent County board of education in the Millington Elementary School's cafeteria.
Mrs. Connolley enjoyed crabbing, gardening and cross-country trips.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Philip Gordon Lee Connolley, in 1996; and a brother, Leroy Thompson.
She is survived by a son, Philip G. Connolley of Millington; three daughters, Pamela M. Coursey of Chestertown, Patricia L. Sutton of Worton and Paula C. Price of Millington; four sisters, Doris Newsome of Centreville, Charlotte Davis and Joyce George, both of Millington, and Elsie Pippin of Scottsville, Va.; two brothers, Allen Bennett Thompson and William Harry Thompson, both of Rock Hall; three granddaughters, Jessica Sutton, Megan Clough and Alyssa Price; and a grandson, William Sutton III.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech, 118 W. Cross St., Galena.
Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Monday in St. Dennis Roman Catholic Church, Galena. The Rev. Thomas Peterman will officiate.
Burial will be in Chester Cemetery, Chestertown.
Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Dennis Church, PO Box 249, Galena, MD 21635 or to: Busic Church, c/o Charlotte Davis, 130 Millington Road, Millington, MD 21651.
Lillie M. Saulsbury Donald, 71
OCALA, Fla. - Lillie M. Saulsbury Donald of Ocala, formerly of Dover, Del., died Thursday, June 4, 2004, in Ocala. She was 71.
Mother Donald was born April 2, 1933, in Ocala, fourth of five children of the late Rufus and Alice Gore.
She graduated from Howard Academy in 1950, and then, went off to attend Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, where she received a bachelor of science in 1954. Her desire to achieve increased knowledge led her to New York University, where she graduated with a master of arts degree from the School of Education in 1959.
She taught business education at Delaware State University in Dover for 30 years. Just before she retired, she served as spiritual adviser to the Delaware State Gospel Choir.
In 1958, she married William S. Saulsbury Sr. of Dover, where she lived for 30 years.
Mother Donald was very passionate about God and education, and her life was a reflection of her passion. She accepted the Lord as her personal Savior in 1944, became a member of the Church of God by Faith and was filled with the Holy Ghost at the tender age of 11. While living in Dover, she was a member of Bibleway Temple Church of God in Christ for 20 years. She was very active in the Ministry of Teaching. She taught Sunday school, was the head coordinator for Vacation Bible School and was the instructor and main teacher for the Christian-education Bible classes. She was also the co-founder of the Kirkwood Community Center.
She was also a member of the Calvary Assembly of God in Dover for 10 years. After retirement in 1989, she moved back to Ocala, where she became a member of Emmanuel C.O.G.I.C. that same year. In 1991, she married Deacon Fred Donald. In 1997, she became a member of Holy Temple C.O.G.I.C., where she served on the Mothers' Board. She received her Evangelist License in the C.O.G.I.C. She served as Sunday-school teacher, was a licensed missionary and loved to teach the word of God. She chaired rallies for the church building fund, and was a great prayer warrior.
She is survived by her husband, Fred Donald of Ocala; two daughters, Dolores K. Saulsbury of Weirsdale and Cassandra A. Saulsbury of Tallahassee; a son and daughter-in-law, William S. Jr. and Bridget Saulsbury of Dover; a granddaughter, Richelle Peart of Dover; three stepchildren; and a host of cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends.
Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday in the Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, 434 N.W. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Ocala.
Funeral arrangements are by Cunninghams Funeral Home, Ocala.
Irvine Lynwood 'Grif' Griffin, 77
RICHMOND, Va. - Irvin Lynwood "Grif" Griffin of Richmond died Monday, June 7, 2004, in Richmond. He was 77.
Mr. Griffin was retired from the U.S. Air Force. During his military career, he was stationed at Dover (Del.) Air Force Base, served as a flight engineer and achieved the rank of senior master sergeant. He was the 13th person to join the Virginia Air National Guard. He served in World War II, Korea and active duty for one year in Vietnam. He flew as a flight engineer on the following planes: A-26 Invader, B-26 Invader, B-29 Flying Fortress, B-17 (with nose gear of Cement Mixer), B-50 Super Fortress, C-121 Constellation, C-124 Globe Master, C-141 Star Lifter, and after 34 years, 10 months, he retired from the C-5 Galaxy stationed in Dover, Del. He traveled the world over but never wanted to be anywhere but Richmond.
He worked for DuPont for 28 years and at the age of 54, he went to work for Phillip Morris Co. to train people in the millwright trade. The two young men he trained are still working at their trade.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Vivian; a son, Lester Lee Griffin; and two beloved grandchildren, Rachel Grace Griffin and Dylan Clarke Griffin.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today in Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Ave., Richmond.
Burial will be Thursday in Dale Memorial Park, Chesterfield.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to The American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Fund, make check out to the ALA Poppy Fund, 8017 Stiles Road, Richmond, VA 23235. The monies will go back to help the Veterans at the VA Hospital.
Florence Erma Hitchens, 77
DELMAR, Md. - Florence Erma Hitchens of Delmar died Tuesday, June 8, 2004, in Chancellor Care Center in Delmar, Del. She was 77.
Mrs. Hitchens was born in West Virginia, daughter of the late Harry L. and Erma A. Bolen.
She worked as an attendant for William's Coin-Op in Delmar. She owned and operated Flo's Market in Delmar for several years.
Mrs. Hitchens attended Delmarva Evangelistic Church in Salisbury and was a past town commissioner for Delmar.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vaughn E. Hitchens; and a sister, Mary Goslee.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, C. Luther and Donna Hitchens of Delmar; a daughter and son-in-law, Vonette and Ronald Breeden of Delmar; two brothers, James Bolen of Princess Anne and William L. Bolen of Delmar; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Short Funeral Home, 13 E. Grove St., Delmar, Del.
Services will be 2 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. The Rev. Dr. Ray Chamberlain will officiate.
Burial will be in St. Stephen's Cemetery Park, Delmar.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Delmarva Evangelistic Church, PO Box 986, Salisbury, MD 21803.
Corina Mae Horseman, 67
DELMAR, Md. - Corina Mae Horseman of Delmar died Monday, June 7, 2004, in Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury. She was 67.
Mrs. Horseman was born in Laurel, Del., daughter of the late John Henry Prevette and Carrie G. Wright.
She was a dietary aide at the Chancellor Care Center, Delmar, Del.
Mrs. Horseman was a very devoted grandmother and great-grandmother.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Johnny Prevette and Dan Waller.
She is survived by two sons and two daughters-in-law, Gary M. Jr. and Mary Jane Horseman of Delmar and Steve C. and Theresa Horseman of Mardela; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Tina Marie Jones of Delmar, Md., Dora A. Ellis and John A. Ellis Sr. of Seaford, Del., and Carrie Elizabeth and Vincent J. Mullinix of Delmar, Del.; a brother, William Waller of Salisbury; two sisters, Jean Heck of North Carolina and Marie Rayfield of Salisbury; nine grandchildren, Gary Horseman III, Robert Samuel Horseman, Angel Marie Horseman, Nicholas Jobes, Stacie Wheatley, Candi Ellis, John Ellis Jr., Thomas Matthew Ellis and Michael J. Mullinix; nine great-grandchildren, Noah Horseman, Nathan Garrett Horseman, Jamal Conway, Mikhi Jobes, Nathan Wheatley, Katelynn Kenney, Thomas Ellis Jr. and Meghan Ellis; and her former husband, Gary M. Horseman Sr. of Delmar.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday in Short Funeral Home, 13 E. Grove St., Delmar, where friends may call one hour earlier.
Burial will be in Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery, Laurel.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Wellness Community of Delmarva, 1201 Pemberton Drive, Salisbury, MD 21801.
Major Lee Lowery, 64
MILLSBORO - Major Lee Lowery of Millsboro died Sunday, June 6, 2004, in Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, Md. He was 64.
Mr. Lowery was born Sept. 7, 1939, son of the late Hubert M. and Mary J. Henry Lowery.
He attended the William C. Jason High School in Georgetown, where he enjoyed playing football.
Mr. Lowery once served in the U.S. Army Reserve.
He worked many years as a construction worker, retiring in 2001.
Mr. Lowery enjoyed training horses.
He is survived by a son, Dwayne Lee Sheppard of Millsboro; three stepsons, Darrin Sheppard of Georgetown, George Sheppard of Frankford, and Chris Morris of Lewes; a daughter, Robin A. Jones of Chester, Pa.; a brother, Sonny Lowery of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and five grandchildren.
Services will be 1 p.m. Friday in Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call one hour earlier. The Rev. Annie Jane Custis will officiate.
Burial will be in St. John's Baptist Church Cemetery.
