George Earl Wiggins Sr.
Mr. George Earl Wiggins Sr., 82, of 513 S. Main St., Suffolk, died on Jan. 12 in Louise Obici Memorial Hospital. A native of Nansemond County, he was a son of the late Alonza Wiggins and Della Morris-Wiggins. He attended Palm Tree Baptist Church, was a former member of Balm of Gilead Missionary Baptist Church, and had retired from Planters Peanut Co. He is survived by his wife, Mamie Wiggins of Suffolk; sons, Clifton Jones, George T. Wiggins and wife (Beulah), Russell L. Wiggins and wife (Rosa), and Elliott L. Wiggins and wife (Sheryl), all of Suffolk; and Rev. William D. Wiggins and wife (Mary) of Gates, N.C.; daughters, Jean W. Riddick and Sylvia A. Wiggins, both of Suffolk, Robin McKinnie of Suffolk (devoted friend like a daughter); Chanee'L. Watkins of Suffolk (adopted grandchild); sister, Jesse Mae Benton of Philadelphia; sister-in-law, Margaret Boone of Gates, N.C.; 19 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in Palm Tree Baptist Church by Rev. Milton E. Lee. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The family will receive friends at the residence. Crocker Funeral Home, Inc., is in charge of the arrangements.

Sylvia W. Carson
On Thursday afternoon, Jan. 10, 2002, the death angel visited the DePaul Medical Center and quietly took from our family circle, after a short illness, our beloved mother and grandmother, Sylvia Ward Carson. She was born on Dec. 2, 1935 in Suffolk to the late Milton Ward and Mary Ellen Boone. She is also predeceased by a brother, Wilbert Wheeler Sr. She was a graduate of the former East Suffolk High School and was a member of Metropolitan Baptist Church. After moving to Norfolk she later joined Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church where she remained until her passing. She retired from Fleet and Industrial Supply Center of Norfolk after 27 years of federal service. She was a member of the Area Council Missionary of Norfolk, Adult Sunday School, AARP, Lupus Foundation, Single's Group of Eastern Virginia Chapter, Family Investment Center at Oakmont North, NAACP, No 2 Choir at Mt. Gilead, and Board of Christian Education: Affiliated Mason and Holmes Missionary of Norfolk, Affiliated Women's Auxiliary of Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Convention, Affiliated Virginia Baptist State Convention, Affiliated Tidewater Peninsula Baptist Assoc., Affiliated BTU Congress: 'Missionary of the Year 2001,' election officer of City of Norfolk, office clerk at former Bell Atlantic Telephone in South Hampton Roads Area, secretary of Tanners Creek East Civic League of Norfolk, participated with Christian Broadcasting Network Inc., provided church correspondence to military families, volunteered as receptionist of Benevolence. Sylvia was married to Willie Leslie Carson and to this union was born two children. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She dedicated her life for their comfort and enjoyment. She made it known to her family and friends constantly that she was ready to answer when God called her. Her survivors include her stepfather, William Boone of Suffolk; two daughters, Shelia Bently of Virginia Beach and Connie White Sherrill of Willingboro, N.J.; three stepsisters, Delores Simpson of Suffolk; Frances McCray and Virginia Small of New York; four step brothers, Calvin of Newport News, Raymond, Edward and Charles Boone of New York; five grandchildren, Marques and Falynn of Virginia Beach; Shauvaun, Nathan and Britni of New Jersey; one great-grandchild, Ymani of New Jersey; two sons-in-law, William Bently of Virginia Beach and James Sherrill of New Jersey and a host of other relatives and friends. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday in Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church, 1057 Kennedy Way in Norfolk. Interment will be in Carver Cemetery. Viewing will be held from 2- 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Riddick Funeral Home at 1225 Norview Ave., Norfolk, is in charge of arrangements.

Florence E. Arnel
Florence Estelle Arnel, 73, of 3588 White Marsh Rd., Suffolk, died on Jan. 12, 2002. She was a homemaker and a native of Suffolk. She was a member of Cypress Chapel Christian Church. She was the daughter of the late William Floyd Jones and Virginia Asbell Jones. Survivors include her husband, John Sullivan Arnel of Suffolk; a daughter and son-in-law, Mary Louise and Larry Clopper of Mercersburg, Pa.; sons and daughters-in-law, Eddie and Nancy Lynn Arnel of Suffolk; Danny Arnel and Berbal and Patricia Arnel of Chesapeake; six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; a sister, Jessie Earl Carmack of Mercersburg, Pa. and a brother, John Henry Jones of Suffolk. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. today at the graveside with Rev. John R. Kimball and Michael Brinkley officiating. Interment will be in the Jones-Lassiter Family Cemetery on Skeetertown Road. Parr Funeral Home is serving the family.

Helen R. Finiel
Helen Ruffin Finiel, a daughter of the late George and Grace Ruffin, was born on Nov. 28, 1918. The Lord called her home on Jan. 8, 2002. Helen was educated in Suffolk, Va. and attended East Suffolk High School. At an early age she joined Tabernacle Church in Suffolk. She relocated to Brooklyn, N.Y. In New York she worked as a private duty nurse and a private real estate contractor. Helen had a son, James Finiel Jr., and two brothers that predeceased her. She leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Hallie Bremby (Clifton) of Suffolk; one foster son, Montgomery Washington of Brooklyn; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; four sisters; and other relatives and friends. The funeral will be held at noon Wednesday, Jan. 16 in T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Ruffin Family Cemetery in Suffolk. Viewing will be from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15 in the funeral home.

Roy S. Whitehurst Jr.
Roy S. Whitehurst Jr., 66, of Belvidere, N.C. died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in Saunders Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Hertford, N.C. Interment will be held in Parker-Whitehurst Burial Estate in Belvidere. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service. T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

John W. Holland
John W. 'Waye' Wayne, 76, of the 7600 block of South Quay Road, Suffolk, died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2002. The funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday in Laurel Hill UCC by the Rev. Carl L. Sweatt Jr. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Peebles Funeral Home is in charge.

Belle Grissom
Belle Bradshaw Barnes Grissom, 90, 2580 Pruden Blvd., Suffolk, died Dec. 30, 2001. She was a Zuni native and was the daughter of the late Stephen Lee Bradshaw and Molly Virginia Saunders Bradshaw. She the widow of Robert Grissom and Seth D. Barnes, and was also predeceased by a daughter, Peggy B. Underwood, a son, David L. Barnes, and 10 brothers and sisters. She was retired after 25 years of service from Birdsong Peanut Company. She was a member of Tucker Swamp Baptist Church in Zuni, and was a volunteer and member of the Salvation Army Home League. Survivors include eight grandchildren, Deborah Underwood, Steve Barnes and wife, Barbara, Kay U. Baines and husband, Stick, Terry Barnes, Ricky Barnes, Donna H. Williams and husband, Charles, Scarlett Barnes and Melody Barnes; eight great grandchildren; five stepchildren; and several nieces and nephews. There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002, at Holly Lawn Cemetery with the Rev. James R. Hughes officiating. Friends may join the family at the home of Deborah Underwood and Kay Baines, 913 McArthur Drive, Suffolk. Colonial Funeral Home is serving the family.

William H. Whitehead
William H. 'Billy' Whitehead, 61, of 27101 Sunset Dr., Windsor, died on December 28, 2001 in Obici Hospital. He was a native of Windsor and was the retired owner of Whitehead Electric. He was a member of Western Branch Baptist Church and was a member of the NRA. He was a former member of the Army National Guard and was predeceased by his father, Robert W. Whitehead. Survivors include his wife, Peggy O'Neal Whitehead of Windsor; his mother, Virginia R. Whitehead also of Windsor; a son and daughter-in-law, W.M. 'Kevin' and Kelly T. Whitehead of Windsor; grandchildren, Kristopher W. Whitehead, Katelynn G. Whitehead, Ryan Cole, and Krista Cole; a brother, Robert M. 'Bobby' Whitehead of Windsor; a special friend, John 'Bug' Cobb; three nieces and one great nephew. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31 at Harrell & Hill Funeral Home. Interment will be in Western Branch Baptist Church Cemetery. Friends may join the family from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at Harrell & Hill Funeral Home and other times at the residence of the son at 26889 Sunset Dr., Windsor. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association of Virginia, 5349 E. Princess Anne Rd., Norfolk, Va. 23502.

Vernelia J Everett
Vernelia J. Everett, 62, was called to rest on Monday, Dec. 17, 2001, at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. She was born in Nansemond County to the late Joseph T. and Viola J. Johnson. She was preceded in death by her son, Ronnie L. Everett. She was a member of Macedonia AME Church, where she served on the Pastor's Aid Ministry. Her former employer was Virginia Design. She leaves to cherish her memory: five daughters, Anita Warren of Portsmouth, Janet Cotton and Nicole Patterson, both of Suffolk, and Terri Peele and Tongelar Everett, both of Maryland; two sons, Rev. Carlton D. Everett of Suffolk and James Everett III, both of Maryland; one son-in-law, Tory Peele of Maryland; seven brothers, Joseph T. Johnson Jr. of Portsmouth, Roy Johnson of Virginia Beach, Roland Johnson, Alvin Johnson, Reginald Johnson and Felando Johnson, all of Maryland, and Charles Johnson of Suffolk; four sisters, Lillian Wright of Chesapeake, Alice Johnson of Suffolk, Maxine Collins and Maureen Johnson of Virginia Beach; three sisters-in-law, Joyce, Denise and Sheila Johnson; nine grandchildren; 15 nieces and nephews; one uncle; two aunts; three great-aunts; and several cousins and close friends. The funeral will be held at noon Saturday in Tabernacle Christian United Church of Christ. Burial will be in Meadowbrook Cemetery. The body will be taken from Peebles Funeral Home at 10 a.m. to Tabernacle UCC.

Providence N. Vann Jr.
Providence N. Vann Jr., 58, of Alexandria, died Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001 in Suffolk. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home. Viewing takes place from noon to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.

Richard L. Myrick
Richard L. Myrick, 67, of 325 Fulcher St., died Dec. 14, 2001. A native of Nansemond County, he was the husband of Mrs. Edna J. Myrick, and a son of the late Lloyd H. Myrick and Mrs. Sarah Porter Myrick. He was predeceased by one brother, James Scott. He had retired after 15 years with International Longshoreman Local 1248. He was an Army veteran, a member of Tabernacle UCC Church, chairman of its joint boards, the men's fellowship, Senior Usher Board, C.R. Upton Usher Board, Sunday School and Bible Study. He was also a photographer-cameraman for the Church, vice president of Hollywood/Jericho Civic League, NAACP and a member of Suffolk Traffic Committee. Besides his wife, Edna J. Myrick, surviving are his goddaughter, Tiffany Boyette of Suffolk; five sisters, Hazel (Willie) Jones, Margenia (Paul) Hall, and Catherine (Lonnie) Peterson, all of Suffolk, Louise (James) White of Chesapeake; Annie Mae (Wilbert) Buie of Lawnside, N.J.; one brother, James (Rosa) Myrick of Suffolk; a close friend, Thomas L. Gay of Suffolk; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. The funeral will be held at noon Thursday in Tabernacle UCC Church by the Rev. Dr. Carlton R. Upton. Burial will be in Nansemond-Suffolk Cemetery. The body will be taken from Peebles Funeral Home to the church at 10 a.m.

Lawrence Hatfield
Lawrence Hatfield, 94, of Beech Creek, W.Va., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001 at his residence. Born on Jan. 6, 1907 in O'Keefe, W.Va., he was the son of the late Allen and Martha Murphy Hatfield. He was a member of the Devon Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife of 74 years, Dollie Kiser Hatfield; sons, Ronald Gene (Mabel) Hatfield of Suffolk, and their sons, Ronald Jr., Randall and Ricky; and Henry (Lois) Hatfield of Suffolk, and their children, Douglas and Erin. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday from the Devon Church of Christ. Burial will follow in the Ellison Hatfield Cemetery at Newton, W.Va. Visitation will be held after 6 p.m. Wednesday in the church with services at 7 p.m. Hatfield Funeral Chapel, Belfry, Ky., is in charge of the arrangements.

Martha B. Powell
Martha Jane Baker Powell, 87, of Suffolk, died Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001 in Hot Springs, Ark. She was born in Portsmouth, the daughter of Patsy S. and Fremont R. Baker, and was a graduate of Maury High in Norfolk and Norfolk Business College. She retired from Planters Peanuts. For most of her life she resided in Suffolk, and was active in Hillcrest Baptist Church. Mrs. Powell was predeceased by her parents, her husband and son-in-law. She is survived by her son, Samuel W. Powell Jr., and his wife, Esther, of Charlotte, N.C.; daughters, Patsy Ray of Lake Ridge, Va., Linda Gomez, and her husband, Richard, of Bakersfield, Calif., and Jane Wilson, and her husband, Otis, of Hot Springs; grandchildren, Betty Ray Glaze, Beebe Ray, Cheryl Powell Fischer, Karin Rountree, Sara Sikes, Gary Sikes, Sandra Powell Graham; and five great-grandsons. The service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 21 in Hillcrest Baptist Church with the Rev. Douglas Gibson officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the R.W. Baker and Co. Funeral Home. Remembrances may be in the form of flowers or a memorial donation to Hillcrest Baptist Church. • Email this story.

Virgie C. Rhodes
Virgie Cones Rhodes, 97, of The Village at Woods Edge, Franklin, died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2001 in Southampton Memorial Hospital. A native of Isle of Wight County, she was the widow of Kenie P. Rhodes, and a daughter of the late Charlie Cones and Ella Bowden Cones. She was predeceased by two sisters, Ella Mae Jones and Lois C. Godwin, and two brothers, J.M. Cones and Alvie C. Cones. She had retired as a nurse for Southampton Memorial Hospital. She was the oldest member of Colosse Baptist Church. She enjoyed traveling with a group outside of Windsor, and was an active volunteer at The Village at Woods Edge. She was also famous for her peanut butter fudge. Survivors include nephews, William M. Cones, and his wife, Joan Cutchin Cones, and Bobby B. Cones, all of Suffolk; great-nieces, Mary C. Coleman of Portsmouth, Suzanne C. Cox, and her husband, Len Cox, of Suffolk, and Sharall G. Davenport, and her husband, Eric, of Lynchburg; great-great-nieces, Mary C. Duman and Amy Cox; great-great-nephews, Eric Cox, Joshua Coleman, Adam Cox, Bill Cones Jr., Connor Davenport, and Tate Davenport; and a great-great-great-niece, Abigal Cutchin Duman. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Colosse Baptist Church by the Rev. T.A. Powell. Burial will be in Colosse Baptist Church Cemetery. Friends may join family from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Harrell and Hill Funeral Home, and other times at the residence of William Cones, 2516 Pruden Blvd. Harrell and Hill Funeral Homes is serving the family.

Lois Carr White
Mildred Lois Carr White, 91, of 317 Lake Dr., died Friday, Dec. 14, 2001, in Autumn Care of Suffolk. A native of Isle of Wight County, she was the widow of Joseph Raymond White, and a daughter of the late Alfred Carr and Bertha Corbett, and stepdaughter of Dollie Spivey Carr. She was predeceased by a sister, Bernice Carr Tripp; and two brothers, Clifton S. Carr and James A. Carr. She had retired after having 18 years of service as a cafeterian for the Holland High School Cafeteria. She was a member of Holland Baptist Church for 75 years, an active member of WMU, and was a Sunday School teacher for numerous years. She was given the Mother of the Year award for Holland Baptist Church in 1983. Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Lewis Ray and Fran White of Staunton, Joseph Raymond White Jr., and his wife, Joyce, of Seneca, S.C., and Ronnie Lane White of Suffolk; grandchildren, Michelle White Paddenberg, Christopher Carr White, Lance Rait Richardson and Lia White Kellogg; sisters, Edna Carr of Carrsville, Margie Herlich of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Kathryn Shifflet of Virginia Beach; and a brother, Thomas L. Carr of Suffolk. The graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in Beaver Dam Baptist Church Cemetery by the Rev. Clyde Alderman. Friends may join family at the residence. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross, Suffolk Chapter, 109-1/2 Clay St., Suffolk, Va. 23434, or the Virginia Baptist Home for Children, Salem, Va., or the Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1515, Suffolk, Va. 23439. Harrell and Hill Funeral Home is serving the family.

Richard Tillery Sr.
Richard 'Big Red' Tillery Sr., 57, of 702 Forrest Oak Lane, Suffolk, died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2001 in Obici Hospital. A Suffolk native, he was a son of Amos Tillery Sr., and the late Irene Burnett Tillery. He was employed at Birdsong Peanut Co., over 15 years. He is survived by his wife, Rosa Mary Tillery; two daughters, Kim Dolberry, and her husband, Kevin, of Suffolk, and Tara Tucker, and her husband, Quincy, of Shelbyville, Ky.; two sons, James Calvin Myrick (Donna) of Manassas, and Richard Calvin Tillery Jr. (Tracey) of Suffolk; four sisters, Margaret Gambrell, JoAnn Tillery, Tonya Tillery, all of Suffolk, and Irene Joyner of Baltimore, Md.; six brothers, Milton Tillery of Norfolk, Thomas Lee Tillery, Lee Otis Tillery, Billy Earl Tillery, and Levoil Tillery, all of Suffolk, and Larry Tillery of Virginia Beach; four step-children, Tyrone, Anthony, Rodney, and Paulette Vandyke, all of Smithfield; 17 grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, other relatives and friends. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in Macedonia AME Church by Elder Wallace Johnson. Interment will be held in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at 4425 Brent Street in Belleville Meadows, Suffolk. The body will be placed in the church at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Crocker Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of the arrangements.

Florie J. Atkins
Florie Bell Jones Atkins, 86, of 19093 Swamp Rd., Windsor, died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001 in Obici Hospital. The graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in Central Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Alton Hinson officiating. Friends may join the family from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today in Harrell and Hill Funeral Home, and other times at the residence of her daughter and son-in-law, Ellen and Wesley Holland. Harrell and Hill Funeral Home is serving the family.

Frankie Cross
Ms. Frankie Cross of Bridgeport, Conn. died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2001, in a Connecticut hospital. Arrangements will be announced later. Crocker Funeral Home Inc. is in charge.

Charlotte H. Goodman
Charlotte Ann Holt Goodman, 63, of Suffolk, died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001. Charlotte was a native of Southampton County, and was an operator of the 'Oldies But Goodies' on Holland Road. She had retired after 31 years with C&P Telephone Co., and was a graduate of Franklin High School. She was also a member of Holland Baptist Church and its Elexian Sunday School Class, C&P Pioneer Club, Holland Home Demonstration Club, and a former member of the Holland Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Survivors include her husband, John Henry Goodman; two sons, Winston T. 'Tommy' Goodman, and his wife, Pamela R., and Keith Holt 'Puddin' Goodman, and his wife, Wanda S., all of Suffolk; her mother, Grace Raiford Holt of Franklin; one sister, Shelby Jean Gray of Newsoms; one sister-in-law, Deloris F. Holt of Franklin; one brother Douglas W. Holt of Franklin, two grandchildren, Skylar Tate Goodman and Winston 'Chad' Goodman, five nephews and one niece, Charlotte. She was predeceased by two brothers, Charles L. Holt Jr. and Winston C. Holt, and her father, Charles L. Holt Sr. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in Wright Funeral Home, Franklin by the Rev. Ed Sunday-Winters. Burial will be in Holly Lawn Cemetery, Suffolk. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today in the funeral home. The family suggests that memorials be made to Holland Baptist Church, 6519 Holland Rd., Suffolk, Va. 23437.