Virginian-PilotJune 18, 2003Helen L. Spencer CHESAPEAKE -- Helen Louise Mandley Spencer of Atlantic Avenue was called home to be with God's heavenly angels June 15, 2003. She was the widow of Edward R. Spencer who predeceased her by 7 months. She was born Oct. 21, 1919 to the late Carrie Rodman Mandley and Joseph Mandley in Beaufort County, N.C. Reared in a Christian home, she was the oldest of six children. Two sisters and a brother predeceased her. She attended public schools in Beaufort County where she met her future husband. She enjoyed 66 years of holy matrimony with Edward R. Spencer. To this blessed union six children were born -- three sons and three daughters. Helen was the portrait of a virtuous, Christian woman who touched the lives of those around her in a quiet, unassuming manner. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin and friend. Helen was a lifelong member of the Disciples of Christ Church where she worked tirelessly in several capacities from childhood through her senior years. She was a devoted member of the Solid Rock Church of Christ Disciples where she served on the Senior Usher Board, Usher Board No. 2, Deaconess Board and Mother's Board until her health declined. Helen was softspoken, accomodating, and her demeanor truly reflected the love of God for her family, friends and community. She encouraged her children to seek excellence and could get their attention with her grounding words of wisdom. Although small in stature, she was fondly known as ``Big Mama.'' Left to cherish her memory are three daughters, Helene S. Taylor and Justine S. Spence of Elizabeth City, N.C., and Bernadine Spencer of Richmond; three sons, Joseph E. Spencer and wife Catherine of Norfolk, William B. Spencer and wife Cornelia of Chesapeake and Kenneth L. Spencer of Morrison, N.J.; four grandchildren, Phyllis T. Fitchgerald and husband Jonathan of Portsmouth, Rashaad B. Spencer of Chesapeake, Laurietta Spence of Virginia Beach and 1st Lt. Henry L. Spence of Fort Eustis, Va.; a great-grandson, Christian S.T. Fitchgerald of Portsmouth; a brother, James Mandley and wife Ora of Suffolk; a sister-in-law, Margaret Rock and husband Issac of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a brother-in-law, James Russell Spencer and wife Yvonne; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A funeral will be held Thursday at noon at New Calvary Baptist Church by Dr. G.G. Campbell. Burial will be in Roosevelt Memorial Park. The body will be taken to the church at 10 a.m. Graves Funeral Home is in charge. Joanna B. Suggs CHESAPEAKE -- Joanna B. Suggs, 86, of the 1900 block of Robert Hall Blvd., passed away to be with the Lord June 13, 2003 at Maryview Medical Center after a short illness. A native of Nashville, N.C., she was the widow of William Lee Suggs and retired from Parkview Baptist Church in 1993. Mrs. Suggs was a faithful member of Holy Light Church of Deliverance for more than 40 years where she was a dedicated and devoted usher for nearly 40 years, a faithful member of the Mother's Board and Mature Saints Organization. Survivors include four daughters, Helen Coles, Patty Stokes (James), Ruth Blow, all of Portsmouth and Betty Robinson of Chesapeake; two sons, Jessie Gray (Esther) of Norfolk and Slick Gray (Margie) of Chesapeake; a brother, William Pitt (Norma); 42 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Edna Gray; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A funeral will be held at noon Thursday in Holy Light Church of Deliverance, Lincoln and Des Moines avenues, Portsmouth, by Bishop S.L. Carruth. Burial will be in Olive Branch Cemetery, Portsmouth. Fisher Funeral Home is in charge. The family will be at 1434 Welcome Road, Portsmouth. Viewing will be held today from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vira S. Baker NORFOLK -- Vira Stevens Baker, 86, died June 16, 2003 in a Norfolk hospital. She was a native of Erwin, N.C., and had retired as a teller from SunTrust Bank after 25 years of service. She was a member of Bayview Baptist Church, the Fidelis Sunday School Class, the Senior Citizens Group, the Women's Ministry, sang in the choir and played the piano and was a prayer chain link. She was also a member of the Women's AGLOW Fellowship and a counselor for CBN. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest F. Baker Sr. Mrs. Baker is survived by her daughter, Connie Baker Johns of Norfolk; one grandchild, Caryn Johns White of Norfolk; two stepsons, Ernest F. Baker Jr. of South Carolina and Charles M. Baker of Virginia; two sisters, Hilda Blood and Catherine Chalk, both of Norfolk; and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, by the Rev. Cary Paulk. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 7 to 9 p.m. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com. Ruby P. Gross NORFOLK -- Ruby Hazel Gurkin Padgett Gross, 81, of the 2400 block of Alder St., passed away June 17, 2003 in Lake Taylor Hospital. A native of Selma, N.C., Mrs. Gross retired from Paramont Bedding as a supervisor. She was a member of Bayview United Church of Christ and the widow of Leo Frank Seigmund Gross. She is survived by her three sons, Rodger D. Padgett and his wife Vivian of Norfolk, Major M. Padgett and his wife Barbara of Norfolk and Needham A. Padgett and his wife Anna of Virginia Beach; and her daughter, Theresa G. Padgett and Richard of Norfolk. She is also survived by three brothers, Edward Gurkin of Selma, N.C., James Gurkin of Smithfield, N.C. and Major Gurkin of Gloucester, Va.; a stepdaughter, Nancy Barrett and her husband David of Richardson, Texas; seven grandchildren, Natalie, Major, Marc, Rodger, Christopher, Renee and Robbie; and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter, Gwendolyn Constance Padgett; her first husband, Willie M. Padgett; and her sister, Ollie Mae Dickerson. A funeral will be conducted Friday at 1 p.m. at Bayview United Church of Christ. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. Helen D.B. Whitehurst NORFOLK -- Helen D.B. Whitehurst, formerly of the 900 block of Workwood Road, died June 14, 2003 in Harbour Pointe Norfolk. A native of Washington, N.C., she was the widow of George Whitehurst and retired after 20 years from DePaul Hospital as an operating room assistant. Mrs. Whitehurst was a member of First Calvary Baptist Church, Norfolk. She is survived by nieces and nephews, including Floyd R. Long of Portsmouth and Paul Lowery of Norfolk; cousins, in-laws and friends. A funeral will be held today at noon in New Calvary Baptist Church, Norfolk, by Dr. J.L. White Sr. with burial in Calvary Cemetery, Norfolk. The body will be taken to the church at 11 a.m. today. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 11 a.m. today for the procession to the church. Corprew Funeral Home, Portsmouth, is in charge. Alice F. Edwards POTECASI -- Alice F. Edwards, 88, died June 15, 2003 in Severn, N.C. She is survived by her husband, the Rev. Sherley Edwards of Potecasi; children, James P. Hardy of Baltimore, Md., Henry J. Alston of Severn, Robert E. Lee Jr. of Asheville, N.C., Dr. Ola Gathers of Severn, Mamie Lewis of Orlando, Fla., Sharon Lee of Jackson, N.C. and Vera C. Walters of Pendleton, N.C.; a special sister, Mrs. Geralding Moore of Severn; two stepdaughters, Blanche Edwards of New York City and Elnora Massey of Sunrise, Fla.; two stepsons, Wendell Edwards of Potecasi and Thomas Edwards of Durham, N.C.; 24 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. in First Baptist Church, Severn. The Rev. Elisha Barnes will officiate the eulogy. A wake will be held at Second Baptist Potecasi at 6 p.m. today by the Rev. Melvin Roberts. Services of comfort are entrusted to Hertford County Undertakers, Winton, N.C.
KITTY HAWK -- Jeanette Elliott Goes, 72, died June 14, 2003 in her residence. Mrs. Goes was born in Hazelton, Pa., and was a former registered nurse and a homemaker. Mrs. Goes graduated from Temple University School of Nursing in Philadelphia, Pa., and was a former worker for Union Church of Monterey, Mexico free clinic. She taught conversational English in Alexandria, Egypt and Jakarta, Indonesia. She was the daughter of the late William G. and Edith Argust Elliott and the wife of James L. Goes. Besides her husband, surviving are a daughter, Cynthia Jane Goes and husband, Frank Stallings of Point Harbor; a son, James L. Goes Jr. and wife, Teri of Kill Devil Hills; four grandchildren, Robin Stancil and husband, Gene of Kinston, N.C., Shannon Newbern and husband, Thomas of Powells Point, Sam Mylin and Ashton Mylin, both of Kill Devil Hills; four great-grandchildren, Katin Newbern, Hannah Newbern, Madison Stancil and Caroline Stancil. A memorial service will be held Friday at 1 p.m. in Twiford's Colony Chapel, Manteo, by the Rev. Joe Mason. Burial will be in Southern Shores Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dare County SPCA, P.O. Box 1000, Manteo, NC 27954 or to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1967, Elizabeth City, NC 27906.
PENDLETON -- Charlie Fenton Gray Jr., 72, died June 15, 2003. A memorial service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Sykes Funeral Service, Rich Square.
GATESVILLE -- Evelyn Eure Harrell, 76, of the 300 block of Eure St., died June 16, 2003 in Roanoke Chowan Hospital. Mrs. Harrell was born in Hertford County, the daughter of the late Dennie Fleetwood and Addie Victoria Copeland Eure. She was a member of Eure Christian Church and was retired as a bookkeeper for Dalure Fashions. Mrs. Harrell was the former wife of William John Harrell. Survivors include a daughter, Docia Victoria Harrell of Ayden, N.C.; a son, John Glen Harrell of Cary, N.C.; and a sister, Janie Eure Hughes of Portsmouth. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by an infant daughter; two sisters, Ruby Beatrice Spivey and Jeanette Eure; and a brother, John Albert Eure. Mrs. Harrell was a friend to everyone she met, and was extremely gifted and creative. A funeral will be held today at 3 p.m. in Eure Christian Church with the Rev. Wayne Gardner officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Chowan Hospital Home Care (CAP), 714 Main St., Gatesville, NC 27983. Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is serving the Harrell family.
CAMDEN -- Etta Sawyer McPherson, 85, of the 800 block of North 343, died June 16, 2003. A funeral will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Twiford's Memorial Chapel, Elizabeth City.
MOYOCK -- Helen Marie Parfitt, 71, a native of Latrobe, Pa., died of small cell lung cancer at home with her loved ones around her on June 16, 2003. She was born Sept. 21, 1931 in Latrobe and was the daughter of the late Frank Chesla Sr. and Josephine Walchock Chesla. She was predeceased by her husband, James W. Parfitt Sr. formerly of Luxor, Pa. She is survived by her children, Myrna Snyder of Norfolk, James W. Parfitt Jr. of Moyock, Bruce Parfitt of Avon, N.C., Cheryl Aldridge of Virginia Beach, Teresa Ragsdale of Chesapeake and Tiffany Parfitt of Moyock; brothers, Joseph Chesla of Alaska, Frank Chesla (Fish) of Latrobe and Thomas Chesla of Derry, Pa.; sisters, Katherine McDowell of Latrobe, Betty Gaffey of Luxor and MaryAnn Caldwell of New Florence, Pa.; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and special friends of the family, Ken Jennerjohn of Virginia Beach and Carroll Semones of Moyock. Prior to her retirement in 1987 she worked for the U.S. Postal Service located on Church Street in Norfolk. She also became a foster mother in the city of Norfolk for many years. Helen was the director and founder of Our Little Angels Beauty Pageants and special pageants involving children with special needs. She was a wonderful wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to all. She will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Latrobe, Pa. at Unity Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Albemarle Hospice, P.O. Box 189, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. The Cremation Society of Virginia, Virginia Beach, is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign the online guest register for Mrs. Parfitt at www.cremate.org.
STUMPY POINT -- Michael Stephen Payne Sr. 63, died June 16, 2003 in Nags Head. Mr. Payne was born in Stumpy Point and was retired as a commercial fisherman. He was a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church and served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was the son of the late Clyde and Mabel Best Payne and the husband of Teresa Conner Payne of Stumpy Point. Besides his wife, surviving are two sons, Michael Stephen Payne Jr. of Manteo and Richard Eric Payne of Manns Harbor; and a brother, Chris Payne of Kitty Hawk. A memorial service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in Shiloh United Methodist Church by the Rev. Tom Jennings. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall of the church. Memorial donations may be made to the Shiloh United Methodist Church. Twiford's Colony Chapel, Manteo, is in charge.
|
Home :: Queries :: Resources :: Links :: Neighbors :: News :: Records