:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 5, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :19
Donald G. Thomas
VIRGINIA BEACH - Master Sgt. Donald G. Thomas, 70, passed away suddenly Sept. 2, 2007. Don was born Oct. 30, 1936, in Worth, W.Va., to the late Gilbert and Gladys Thomas.
He proudly served his country and retired after 20 years, including two tours in Vietnam, from the United States Marine Corps. Don also retired from Norshipco after 25 years and recently ended his working career at Owl’s Creek Golf Course. He loved playing golf, West Virginia football and watching his grandsons play baseball, football and basketball.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Irene Joan; two daughters, Donna Cristelli and her husband Dominick “Butch” and Christy Swanger and her husband David; four grandchildren, Brittany and Brent Cristelli and Garret and Grant Swanger; sister, Peggy Massey and her husband Max; numerous brothers and sisters-in-law; and nieces and nephews. Don touched the lives of all who knew him. He was the perfect husband, father, grandfather and friend, and will be dearly missed.
A celebration of Donald’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., with the Rev. Ernest Trueblood officiating. Entombment with military honors will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from noon until time of service Thursday in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society.
An online guestbook may be signed by visiting www.woodlawngroup.com.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :22
Duane E. Blood
CHESAPEAKE - Duane Earl “Dee” Blood, 69, passed away suddenly Sept. 4, 2007. Mr. Blood was born Sept. 5, 1937, and was the son of the late William E. and Verla S. Blood.
He was predeceased by a sister, Darlene West and a brother, Wade Blood. He proudly served his country and retired from the U.S. Navy after 27 years as a chief petty officer. After retiring from the Navy, he worked for Lanier Business Products, installing, building and repairing computers, many which were deemed irreparable. In his retirement, he enjoyed composing computer forms, the more complicated the better. He also enjoyed watching his grandkids enjoy life and continuing his lifetime hobby, solving crossword puzzles. He was a loyal member of Portsmouth Moose Lodge No. 898, where he served as governor from 1986-87 and received his Fellowship Degree. He was a blood donor and gave faithfully, earning his gallon pin.
Dee is survived by three daughters, Darla Simmons and husband Ray, Ronni Nation and Mike Nation, Jamie Blood and boyfriend Mark Ertter, their mother, Carol Blood; two sons, Richard Blood and Randall Blood; his companion, Brenda Hall and her children, Dean Holmes and wife Nancy, Kevin Hall and fiancee Lisa Howe and Angela Anderson and husband D.J. He was also known as Grandpa Dee to Joshua and Jackson Simmons and Pappy to Morgan and Madalyn Anderson, Rachel and Kenneth Holmes, who will miss him dearly; three brothers, Leslie Blood, Terry Blood and Mike Blood.
A celebration of Dee’s life will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Great Bridge Freewill Baptist Church, 700 Mount Pleasant Road, Chesapeake. The Rev. Hal Jones will officiate. Interment will follow with full military honors in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk.
The viewing will begin today with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Great Bridge Chapel of Oman Funeral Home & Crematory, 653 Cedar Road, Chesapeake.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 6340 Center Drive, York Building, Suite 129, Norfolk, VA 23502.
Friends are invited to sign the online guest book at www.omanfh.com.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :22
Morris Cuffee Jr.
CHESAPEAKE - Morris Cuffee Jr., 46, or “Junie” as he was affectionately known, of the 2600 block of Evers Court, passed away Sept. 2, 2007.
Junie was born June 6, 1961, in Chesapeake. He attended Indian River High School and later joined the merchant seamen. Junie was a gifted first class welder most recently employed with Lyons Shipyard in Norfolk. He had joined Bethany Baptist Church and was later baptized by his Pastor Jake Manley.
June leaves to cherish his memory his devoted parents, Morris Sr. and Elizabeth Cuffee of Chesapeake; one daughter, Nicole Yvette Cuffee; her mother, Holly Stevens (Cuffee) and Junie’s grandson, Kameron Rashad Bray, all of Norfolk; and his fiancee, Dora Ann Small of Currituck, N.C. Dora has five sons who Junie loved as his own, Alonzo, DeAngelo, Antonio, Michael and Deon. The couple were planning an October wedding.
He also leaves two sisters, Elizabeth Ann Marrow (Henry who preceded him in death) and Rose Marie Cuffee, both of Chesapeake; one brother, Donald Eugene Cuffee and his wife Carolyn of Norfolk; four nieces, Sheimka, Shede, Andrea and Jasmine; three nephews, Darnell, Christopher Demetrius; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life will take place Friday at 1 p.m. in his mothers church, Cathedral of Faith COGIC in Chesapeake by Dr. G. Wesley Hardy, pastor. The repast will be held at the Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Community Center in Chesapeake. Junie’s final resting place will be in Roosevelt Memorial Park. Viewing is today between 1 and 7 p.m. in Fitchett Funeral Home, 1821 Liberty St., Chesapeake. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.fitchettfuneralhome.com.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :22
Frankie Mae Jones
CHESAPEAKE - Frankie Mae Jones, 67, of the 2100 block of Armada Drive, died Sept. 4, 2007, in her home.
A native of Perquimans County, North Carolina, she was predeceased by her parents, Thomas F. and Delmah Hair Jordan; a brother, Thomas A. Jordan; two sisters, Elizabeth Jordan and Margaret Jordan. She was a 1953 graduate of Cradock High School, a co-owner of Jones’ restaurant and a Baptist.
Survivors include her husband, Irving B. Jones; two sons, Curtis Jones and wife Margaret and David E. Jones and wife Mary Ann; one daughter, Cindy J. Boyette and husband Paul; nine grandchildren, Jordan Boyette, Eryn Boyette, Zach Jones, Josh Hammond, Christian Jones, Collin Jones, Corey Jones, Conner Jones and Claire Jones; a sister-in-law, Kathy Jordan; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lawrance and Betty Jones; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, by the Rev. Nelson F. Fields. Burial will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends today from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :22
Robert E. Powers
CHESAPEAKE - Robert Edward Powers, 64, of Shoal Creek Trail, went to be with the Lord Sept. 4, 2007, in Norfolk. A native of Norfolk, he was the son of the late Winfred C. and Amelia Denny Powers. A Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, he was the owner of Bullet Drive Line. He attended Atlantic Shores Baptist Church and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. He was a member and treasurer of the Southside Golf Association and attended the Calvary Temple Wednesday Men’s Prayer Group.
Surviving are his wife, Claudia Baker Powers; two daughters, Ashley Powers and her fiance Daniel Morgan of Chesapeake and Mary Jane Roszkowski of Virginia Beach; one son, Mark Edward Powers Sr., of Virginia Beach; three grandchildren, Jenna Powers, Mark E. Powers Jr. and Angela Roszkowski; one sister, Ann Ashmore of Elizabeth City, N.C.; and his father and mother-in-law, Earl and Myrtle Baker of Chesapeake.
A funeral will be held Friday at noon in Calvary Temple Church with the Rev. Lamar Sentell officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. The family will receive friends at Graham Funeral Home, Greenbrier Chapel, today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and at 621 Emerald Court, Chesapeake at all other times.
We thank God for every day with you. Please share a memory with the family at www.grahamfuneralhome.com.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :22
McCoy Wiggins
CHESAPEAKE - McCoy Wiggins, 71, of the 1300 block of Bunker Ridge Arch, departed this life Sept. 4, 2007. Born in Whaleyville, Va., he was employed with the U.S. Postal Service in New York for 31 years until his retirement in 2005, and he was employed with SPSA for more than eight years. He was a member of Cathedral of Faith COGIC, where he was a deacon and a member of the Men’s Choir.
He is survived by his wife, Dolores Wiggins of Chesapeake; one daughter, Sherita Lewis of Virginia Beach; four sons, Linwood Smith (Terri) and Gary Wiggins (Cathy) of Brooklyn, N.Y., Derrick Wiggins (Diane) of Queens, N.Y., and Keith Wiggins (Lois) of Hempstead, N.Y.; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a host of other children, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Cathedral of Faith COGIC. Viewing will be held Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. in Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, Chesapeake. Interment will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. We invite you to send a condolence message in the family’s guestbook at www.pretlowandson.com.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :22
Lillie V. Barnett
NORFOLK - Lillie Virginia Barnett, 83, peacefully went into an eternal sleep to be with the Lord Sept. 4, 2007, in Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Lillie resided at 3115 Davis St., Norfolk. She was born in Washington, D.C., to the late Gen. Lee Smith and Conzetta Eborn Smith. She was predeceased by siblings, Lenora S. Roberts, Lee Smith, Joseph Smith and Willie Smith.
She was the widow of Arthur Barnett Sr.
Lillie leaves to cherish her memory three sons and one daughter, Arthur Barnett Jr. (Louise), Linda B. Johnson (Joe), Ronald E. Barnett Sr. (Virginia) and Shelby L. Barnett Sr. (Sharon); 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Lillie was an active member of First Baptist Church, Campostella until her illness. She sung in the senior choir and had a great love for singing and family. She retired from the City of Norfolk. She was a member of Excelsia Eastern Star No. 101 and the Salvation Army Home League.
The homegoing service will be held at noon Saturday in First Baptist Church, Campostella, 1510 Conoga St., Norfolk. Interment will be held in Roosevelt Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake. The family will assemble at 3115 Davis St., Norfolk, one hour prior to the service. Graves Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :22
Lewis T. Bryant Sr.
NORFOLK - Lewis T. Bryant Sr., 81, went to be with our Lord Sept. 4, 2007. Lewis was born June 30, 1926, in Suffolk and was preceded in death by his parents, Robert L. and Mary A. Bryant.
He was a loving and devoted husband of 60 years, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He served his country proudly in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in Italy, and was awarded the Bronze Star. He retired from the Norfolk Fire Department after serving 32 years.
He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Louise Bryant; daughter, Carol Merwin; daughter and son-in-law, Debi and James Corbitt Jr. (Jim); son, Lewis T. Bryant Jr. (Tommy); daughter, Evie Bryant; four grandchildren, Daniel Meekins and his wife Jennifer, Lewis T. Bryant III (L.T.), James Corbitt III and Nikki Reyes and her husband Marc; and one great-grandchild, James Corbitt IV.
A funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, 8464 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :22
Beatrice W. Coffman
NORFOLK - Beatrice W. Coffman, formerly of 7009 Gail Drive, Norfolk, died Sept. 5, 2007, at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Beatrice (Bea) was born Aug. 20, 1919, at Long Island, Va., daughter of the late Robert Wesley and Ruth Weaver Woodall.
Beatrice was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence W. Coffman, retired state police investigator. She was also predeceased by her two brothers, James H. Woodall and John James Woodall and her sister, Kathleen Woodall Eanes. She is survived by her sister, Ann Inge and several nieces and nephews. Bea graduated from Gladys High School, Gladys, Va. and retired from C&P Telephone Co. in Norfolk after 35 years.
She was a member of Talbot Park Baptist Church where she served as a deacon and of the Esther Bible Class. She was also a member of The Telephone Pioneers.
A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Talbot Park Baptist Church with Dr. Tim Dixon, Dr. Robert Carpenter and Captain Gordon Paulson officiating. The burial will follow in Rosewood Memorial Park Cemetery and Mausoleum, 631 N. Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, is handling the arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Talbot Park Baptist Church. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :22
Deandre McKenzie
NORFOLK - Baby Deandre McKenzie, of the 1700 block of Thurgood St., died Sept. 1, 2007. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Roosevelt Cemetery. Graves Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :22
Linwood Mitchell Sr.
NORFOLK - Linwood Mitchell Sr., of the 900 block of W. 27th St., died Sept. 2, 2007, in Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center. Born in Pender County, North Carolina, he retired from the City of Norfolk as a bondsman and was a member of First Baptist Church Lamberts Point. He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Mitchell and a son, Linwood Mitchell Jr.
Survivors include a daughter, Margaret Griffin of Norfolk; a sister, Mercedes Clements of North Carolina; a brother, Willis Hayes of New York; a grandson, Eugene Griffin (Gloria) of Virginia Beach; six great-grandchildren; daughterin-law, Margaret Mitchell; special niece, Brenda Reid of Virginia Beach; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A funeral will be held Friday at noon in First Baptist Church Lamberts Point by the Rev. Anthony Paige. The family will assemble at the residence at 11 a.m. for the procession. Interment will be in Roosevelt Memorial Park. The remains will be ready for viewing from 3:30 to 8 p.m. today in Carlos A. Howard Funeral Homes, Norfolk Chapel. www.carlosahowardfuneralhomes com
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :22
David Lee Swinson
NORFOLK - David Lee Swinson of the 6200 block of Chesapeake Blvd., went to eternal rest Aug. 31, 2007.
Born Dec. 9, 1942, he was a native of Norfolk and was predeceased by his parents,
Buster and Alice Swinson and Bertha Mackey Swinson. Survivors include one daughter, Davette (Andre) Burford of Virginia Beach; three sisters, Jeanette (James) Carr of Chesapeake, Shirley Swinson of Virginia Beach and Lucille Ferabee of Norfolk; two brothers, Reginald “Tinker” Swinson of Norfolk and Raymond Mackey of North Carolina; a soul mate of 23 years, Carolyn Williams of Norfolk; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
A funeral will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk. Burial will be in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. A wake will be held today at Fitchett Funeral Home from 6 to 7 p.m. The body will be placed in church Friday at 10 a.m. Danielle M. Fitchett, funeral director.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :23
Bennie R. Faircloth
PORTSMOUTH - Bennie Russell Faircloth, 68, of the 800 block of Liston Lane, died Sept. 1, 2007, in Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born in Garland, N.C., to the late Mable and Lee Faircloth and grew up in Portsmouth. He retired from NORSHIPCO after 33 years.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Wilson Faircloth; one daughter, Sharon Faircloth of Suffolk; a son, Anthony L. Faircloth of Las Vegas, Nev.; a sister, Mary J. Stephens; four brothers, Randolph, Lathan, Vernon and James C. Faircloth; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in Corprew Funeral Home Chapel, Portsmouth, by the Rev. George Eason. Burial will be in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. Viewing at the funeral home will begin at 1 p.m. today.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :23
Edgar V. McIntosh
PORTSMOUTH - Edgar Vernon “Steve” McIntosh, 72, passed away Sept. 2, 2007. He was a native of Madison County, North Carolina, a retired truck driver and an Army veteran of Korea.
Steve is survived by two daughters, Lorraine Mims and Melissa McIntosh, both of Suffolk; a son, Steve McIntosh of Suffolk; four sisters, Nathalee Quick of Portsmouth, Louise Bradshaw of Suffolk, Imogene Schreiner of Mobile, Ala., and Janice Schenk of Mingo Junction, Ohio.
A graveside funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens with military honors. The family will receive friends in Loving Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel, Friday from 7 to 8 p.m.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :23
Earl G. Thomas
PORTSMOUTH - Earl Gregory Thomas, 95, of the 400 block of Biltmore Place, went to be with the Lord Sept. 4, 2007, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Earl was a member of Biltmore Baptist Church and retired as an electrician from Norfolk Naval Shipyard after 33 years of service.
Earl is survived by his wife, Joan A. Thomas; a daughter, Ann Foster and husband James; a son, Joseph E. Thomas and wife Mary; two stepsons; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens by the Rev. T.M. Frye. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, is handling the arrangements.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :23
Willie J. Williams
PORTSMOUTH - Aug. 30, 2007, our beloved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, Willie Javah Williams, slipped into eternal peace. Javah was born Aug. 23, 1990, to Yvette Williams and Jermel Lee.
He was enrolled in the 11th grade at S. H. Clarke School in Portsmouth. He was well known by many as a happy, fun and handsome guy.
He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted mother, Yvette Williams, his father, Jermel Lee, both of Portsmouth; one daughter, Journey Benton of Portsmouth; four aunts, Yolanda Williams, Nicole and Margaret Thornton and Aisha Lee, all of Portsmouth; three uncles, Willie R. Mack, Antoine and Ahmad Lee, all of Portsmouth; two grandmothers, Yvonne Thornton and Carolyn Leary; great-grandfather, Willie J. Mack of Chesapeake who loved him dearly, and a host of great aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Portsmouth, with Elder Eddie G. Wright officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake. Viewing will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday in Corprew Funeral Home. The body will be taken to the church at 9:30 a.m. Friday.
The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :23
Frank J. Zanavich
PORTSMOUTH - Frank John Zanavich, 91, died Sept. 2, 2007. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. A graveside service will be Friday at 3 p.m. in Olive Branch Cemetery. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, is in charge.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :23
Paralee P. Cooper
SUFFOLK - Paralee P. Cooper, 90, of Sleepy Lake, died Sept. 5, 2007, in Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, Portsmouth.
A native of Red Oak, N.C., she moved to Portsmouth in 1944. A homemaker for most of her adult life, she worked for General Electric for 15 years, retiring in 1981. She was an active member of Alexander Baptist Church, Portsmouth, for more than 60 years. She considered Bethany Baptist Church in Portsmouth her “second church home.”
She was the widow of Horace Hill Cooper and was also preceded in death by three sisters, a brother, an infant child and two grandchildren.
Survivors include four daughters, Nancy Jones of Virginia Beach, Merilynn Spears of Suffolk, Gail Dobbins and husband Walter of Bothell, Wash., and Yvonne Stampley and husband Andy of Greensboro, N.C.; two sons, Phil Cooper of Norfolk and Hill Cooper and wife Karen of Suffolk; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends in Loving Funeral Home on Academy Avenue in Portsmouth from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home by Dr. Archie Corbin of Alexander Baptist Church and Dr. Gene Primm of Bethany Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Sep 6, 2007; :Hampton Roads; :23
Irmgard McMoran
VIRGINIA BEACH - Irmgard McMoran, 81, of the 1800 block of Old Ridge Road, passed away Sept. 4, 2007, in Sentara Leigh Hospital.
A native of Konigsburg, Germany, she was the daughter of the late Fredrich and Ana Frolich and the widow of Richard McMoran.
She is survived by her daughter, Anita-Fay Hughes of Virginia Beach; two sons, Donald McMoran and wife Laura of Purcellville, Va., and Daniel McMoran and wife Carolyn of Jacksonville, Fla.; three sisters, Elle Scheffler and Gisela Dreher of Burgdorf, Germany, and Liselotte Roesser of Herford, Germany; seven grandchildren, Kara Hughes, Reese George, Fred George, Dana DeFreeuw, Leslie Clarridge, Kelly McMoran and Michael McMoran and eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be conducted Friday at 7 p.m. in Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel, with the Rev. Bill Stafford III officiating. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery Sept. 27, 2007, at 2 p.m. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the American Heart Association. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.
