Delaware Obituary Collection
(Obits and death notices from Various Funeral Homes in Delaware [with many Maryland obits that are associated with Delaware]).
Many obituaries from Dover and Rehoboth Beach.
A funeral service for Charles P. Williams, 55, of Dover, was held on Saturday, July 21 at holy Trinity Church, Dover. Mr. Williams died on Monday, July 16, 2001 in Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Williams was born in 1945 in Smyrna, the son of the late Lavinia Potts and Willard Williams.
He received his early education at Thomas D. Clayton School in Smyrna. He later attended school in Milford. he graduated from Milford High School.
Mr. Williams went into the military and received an honorable discharge after serving two years.
Later in life, he found employment in Dover and made his life here.
Mr. Williams became a member of Holy Trinity Church. He was a local preacher, president of the senior choir and church caretaker. He was well loved by his church in Dover and by the Smyrna community.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two children, Renae Williams and Charles Jerome Williams.
Mr. Williams is survived by his son, Brian Guy of Germany; his step-mother, Elizabeth Williams of Dover; five sisters, Harriet Banks, Elsie Williams, Louise Henry and Charlotte Bleen, all of Smyrna, and Robeda Williams of Dover; and five brothers, Oakley Potts of Smyrna, Jeff Williams of South Carolina, Reginald Potts of Millsboro, Stephen and Thaddeus Williams, both of Dover, and Morris White of Wilmington; three stepdaughters, Janet, Danielle and Donna Williams of Columbus, Ohio; four aunts, Mrs. Helen Simmons and Mrs. Louise Potts of Smyrna, Mrs. Rachel Beathea of New Brunswick, N.J., and Diane Williams of Dover; three special friends, the Rev. Tyise Wayman of Smyrna, Pauline Sullivan and Rachel Powell of Dover; two grandchildren; two brothers-in-law; two sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Arrangements were by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
Burial was in Delaware Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Bear.
Mary Helen Skeet Evans
A funeral service for Mary Helen Skeet Evans, 75, of Dover, was held on Monday, July 23 at Centennial United Methodist Church, Smyrna. Mrs. Evans, formerly of Smyrna, died on Wednesday, July 28, 1001 at Silver Lake Nursing Home, Dover.
When she was able, she enjoyed traveling with her best friend, Marion Fountain, and spending time with her family.
Mrs. Evans was a faithful member of Centennial U.M. Church in Smyrna.
She is survived by four children, Mary Ann Mosley, Velma Wayman-Bull, Edgar Evans and Audrey Stevens; two sisters, Ella Mae Murray and Virgie Bordley; a brother, Dillard Wells; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Arrangements were by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
A memorial service for William B. Davis, 79, of Kenton, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 22 N. Union St., Smyrna. Mr. Davis died from complications following a brief illness on Saturday, July 21, 2001 at the Delaware Medical Center, with his wife at his bedside.
Mr. Davis was born in 1922 in Laurel, the son of the late Henry Clay and Mary Carey Davis.
He was a veteran of WW II.
For the past 47 years, Mr. Davis lived on a small farm at Seven Hickories near Kenton.
For a number of years, he worked for the Internal Revenue Service, resigning in the 1980s. He formed his own accounting firm, Cooper, Davis and Cann, in Dover, which he later sold to Ray Patterson and John Kelly.
Mr. Davis served on the board of Independent Newspapers Inc. and of the Delaware Home and Hospital in Smyrna, to which he was appointed by the late Gov. Charles L. Terry Jr.
In addition to his professional work, he was a poet by avocation and published two volumes of his work, "Twenty-One Poems and A Prayer," and "More Poems and A Prayer."
For years, he was treasurer, vestryman and teacher at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Smyrna.
Mr. Davis was a brilliant storyteller and enthralled generations of youngsters in the large Davis family with yarns about ghosts.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Ollie, in 1998.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jane McClain Davis; a daughter, Rose Mary George; three sons, William Jr. of Oklahoma, Carey of Virginia, and Sam, at home; a sister, Eliza Davis of Wilmington; a brother, Ned of Dover; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are by Faries Funeral Home, Smyrna.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to: St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 22 N. Union St., Smyrna, DE 19977.
James Francis `Jim' Hand
James Francis "Jim" Hand, 60, of Marydel, died on Friday, July 20, 2001 in Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Hand was born in 1940 in Philadelphia, the son of the late Ralph and Mary Cannon Hand.
He attended West Catholic High School in Philadelphia.
Mr. Hand was a veteran of the U.S. Marines.
He had lived in Marydel since 1978, coming from southwest Philadelphia.
Mr. Hand worked for Dura Finishers of Camden as a painter.
He enjoyed camping, crabbing and being with his grandchildren.
Mr. Hand is survived by his wife, Mildred Hand; five sons, Howard "Sonny" Foulk and Richard Charles Foulk, both of Dover, Duke Hand, Robert Hand and John Hand, all of Pennsylvania; four daughters, Cindy McGuire of Dover, Jennifer Crisco and Lisa A. Damon, both of Magnolia, and Margaret Hand of Pennsylvania; two brothers, Robert Hand of New Jersey and Daniel "Danny" Hand of Pennsylvania; three sisters, Molly Spishock and Florence Iannicci, both of Pennsylvania; Nora Lawrence of Florida; 18 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are by Fleegle & Helfenbein Funeral Home, Greensboro.
Burial will be in Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
Lawrence "Al" Allen
A funeral service for Lawrence "Al" Allen, 82, of Millsboro, will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 28 at St. George Episcopal Church, Route 23, Millsboro. Mr. Allen died on Wednesday, July 18, 2001 in his home.
Mr. Allen was born in 1919 in Gloucester, Va. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Mr. Allen moved to Philadelphia after the war and worked for the Philadelphia Housing Authority. While in Philadelphia, he met and married his wife. Upon retirement, they moved to the Millsboro area.
Mr. Allen had a love of driving and the open road. He took a job with Job-Lin Tours as a bus driver and spent many happy years driving up and down the East Coast and as far away as Texas. He later took a job with Sussex Central as a school bus driver, where he was employed until illness forced his retirement.
Mr. Allen's love for driving was only matched by his love for fishing. When he lived on the Indian River, his boat, "Lucy Babe," was always in sight when he was not out fishing. A prolific fisherman, Mr. Allen seldom came home without his cooler full to the brim with the day's catch.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Lucy; three sons, Lawrence Jr. of Williamsport, Pa., Dr. Tutse Tonwe of Dover; and Richard Taylor of Millsboro; three daughters, Marita Allen of
Philadelphia, Jennie Chapman of Dover, and Dr. Estele Sampson of Washington, D.C.; three daughters-in-law; 14 grandchildren; two nieces;
one nephew; four cousins; and four special friends, Evelyn Duncan, Ollie Briddell, Doris Barker and Donald Griffin.
Burial will be in St. George Episcopal Church Cemetery.
Althea A. Childress
A private funeral service will be held for Althea A. Childress, 81, of Dover. Mrs. Childress died on Friday, July 20, 2001 in Silver Lake Center, Dover.
Mrs. Childress was born in 1919 in Richmond, Va., the daughter of the late Walter and Daisey Echo.
She worked at the Peoples Drug Store in Richmond for 30 years, then moved to the Dover area 14 years ago to be with her family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Childress.
Mrs. Childress is survived by a son, Carter L. Davis; a sister, Doris B. Gregory of Dover; two grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are by Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover.
Robin Jay Thomas
A memorial service for Robin Jay Thomas, 48, of Wilmington, will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Old St. Anne's Episcopal Church, S. Broad St., Middletown. Mr. Thomas, formerly of Dover, died on Thursday, July 19, 2001 at home.
Mr. Thomas retired from the Air Base Carpet Mart of Dover after 17 years.
He was a longtime member of the Camden-Wyoming Moose Lodge and the American Pool Association.
Mr. Thomas was a beloved father, son and brother.
He is survived by his daughter, Lanie Robin Thomas of Dover; a son, Jay Trevor Thomas of Dover; his mother, JoAnn Kyritsis Crossan of Wilmington; his father, Joseph Kyritsis of Newark; his sister and brother-in-law, Marianne Kyritsis Stewart and Kenneth Stewart of Townsend; a brother, J. Andrew Kyritsis of Newark; and other family and friends.
Arrangements were by New Castle Cremation Service.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to: Delaware Hospice, 3515 Silverside Rd., Wilmington, DE 19810.
Harold V. Holsinger
A memorial service for Harold V. Holsinger, 86, of Dover, will be held at noon today at the Denton Church of the Brethren on Seventh Street in Denton, Md. There will be no public calling hours.
Mr. Holsinger, formerly of Maryland, died on Sunday, July 22, 2001 in his home.
He was born in Ridgely, Md., the son of the late Earl Holsinger and M. Annice Rairigh Holsinger.
He was a lifelong farmer on Holly Road near Greensboro, Md.
He married his present wife, Annie P. Holsinger, on July 23, 1988. Mr. Holsinger and his wife had moved to Dover in March of 2001.
He was a lifelong member of the Denton Church of The Brethren; a member of the Caroline County Farm Bureau; the Choptank Ruritan Club; and the Caroline County Farm Discussion Group.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Florence Krabill Holsinger, in 1984; two step-children, Mark McNiff and Donna McNiff Whedbee; and a sister, Adeline Bickling.
In addition to his second wife, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Alan F. and Paulette Holsinger of Claypool, Ind.; a daughter, Myra Holsinger of Washington, D.C.; two grandchildren, Jeff Holsinger of Warsaw, Ind., and Amy Holsinger of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and two step-grandchildren, Kristopher Paitsel and Skylar McNiff, both of Dover.
Arrangements are by Moore Funeral Home, P.A., Denton, Md.
Burial will be private.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to: Delaware Hospice, 911 S. DuPont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901.
Emily E. Riley George Morris
A memorial service for Emily E. Riley George Morris, 66, of Dover, will be announced at a later date. Mrs. Morris died on Sunday, July 22, 2001 in Christiana Hospital, Newark.
Mrs. Morris was born in 1934 in Lewes, the daughter of the late Louis E. Riley and Rosa M. Holland Riley Thomas.
She was a graduate of William C. Jason High School in Georgetown, and held a master's degree in regional planning from the University of Massachusetts.
Among her many accolades and accomplishments, her greatest asset was her love for people and helping others. She was a lover of God's creation and marveled over its wonders.
Mrs. Morris was director of Dover Educational and Community Center. In the spring of 2000, she was inducted into the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame.
She was a devoted member of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Dover, where she was a member of the trustee board and president of the senior choir.
Mrs. Morris was Kent County prothonotary from 1980 to 1992; a member of the Kent County Republican Party; a member of the National Urban/Rural Fellows Board of Directors; board member of the House of Pride; a member of the NAACP; and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Morris.
Mrs. Morris is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Kevin A. and Linda George of Harrington; a brother and sister-in-law, Louis E. and Lonnie Riley of Dagsboro; two nephews, Paul W. Williams and his wife, Andrea of Yeadon, Pa., and Louis E. Riley III of Harrisburg, Pa.; five nieces, Judith B. Tankard and her husband, Albert of Milton, Jane A. Showell of Milton, Delema M. Lott of Lewes, Makeda R. Riley of Philadelphia and Kathryn R. Riley of Dagsboro; seven step-sons; a step-granddaughter, Jean Faison; six great-nephews; six great-nieces; four great-great-nephews; three great-great-nieces; her special extended family, three "sisters," Marian Harris, Lillie Cooper and Barbara Hill; three godchildren, Deesha M. Hill, Jatia Paige and Myland Brown; and Harry, Jay and Kana Panchmatia.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to: Dover Educational and Community Center, 744 River Road, Dover, DE 19901.
Edward V. `Snipe' Edge
A funeral service for Edward V. "Snipe" Edge, 85, of Dover, will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 26 at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 408 S. Liberty St., Millington, Md., where friends may call one hour before the service. Mr. Edge died of cancer on Monday, July 23, 2001 in his home.
Mr. Edge was born in 1915 in Middletown, the son of the late Zedric and Amanda Edge.
He served in the U.S. Army.
He worked for several years at Rebourne Farms near Centreville, Md. He then worked for the town of Centreville in the maintenance department and took care of the power plant, retiring after 18 years.
Mr. Edge enjoyed playing music in his bands The Country Stardusters and Home Sweet Home Boys. He also enjoyed gardening and working on small engines.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Emma Edge, in 1979; a daughter, Margaret "Peggy" Walls, in March 2001; and a grandson, Joey Walls, in 1994.
Mr. Edge is survived by his second wife of 13 years, Margaret C. Edge; four daughters, Mary Lee Boyles of Chestertown, Md., Barbara Jonczak of Centreville, Frances Osborne of Chesapeake City, Md., and Darlene Alton of Henderson, Md.; a son, Thomas E. Edge of Worton, Md.; a grandson he raised, Ronnie Edge of Millington, Md.; a stepson, Bruce Graham of Kenton; a sister, Viola Hollingsworth of Stevensville, Md.; a brother, Paul Edge of Salisbury, Md.; 19 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Burial will be in Chesterfield Cemetery, Centreville, Md.
