Virginian-Pilot

June 20, 2003

Forrest D. Gibbs

CHESAPEAKE -- Forrest Douglas Gibbs, 82, of the 400 block of Oaklette Drive, passed away June 18, 2003 in a local hospital.

A native of Creswell, N.C., Mr. Gibbs retired in 1972 as fire captain of the Little Creek Amphibious Base Fire Department after 26 years of service. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II having served in the China, Burma, India Campaign and having received several honorary medals for his service. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4809 in Norfolk.

He is survived by his wife, Hilda Barbour Gibbs; daughter, Deborah Gibbs Pugh and her husband David Richard Pugh Sr. of Chesapeake; and two sons, Ronald Douglas Gibbs and his wife Judith Forehand Gibbs of Atlanta, Ga., and Dr. Gary Parker Gibbs and his wife Deborah Waldschmidt Gibbs of Virginia Beach. He is also survived by three grandchildren, David Richard Pugh Jr. of Chesapeake, Jeanine Leigh Gibbs, Esquire of Atlanta and Dr. Michele Gibbs Phipps and her husband Dr. Noel Lange Phipps of Birmingham, Ala.; one great-grandchild, William Lange Phipps; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and other family. He was predeceased by 13 brothers and sisters. He was a very loving and devoted husband and father who will be greatly missed by all.

A funeral will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. in Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Indian River Chapel, with the Rev. Bob Jordan officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 7 to 9 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, 740 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.

Willie Mae Cherry

NORFOLK -- Willie Mae Cherry departed this life June 9, 2003 at DePaul Medical Center. She was born Aug. 4, 1944 in Rocky Mount, N.C.

She is survived by her husband, Elias Cherry; a brother, Tommy Erwin of Chesapeake; three children, Deloris Draughan of Huntsville, Ala., and Tyrone Draughan and Trena Ramsey of Norfolk; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends, nieces and nephews.

Private services will be held by the family.

Virginia P. Sharpe

NORFOLK -- Virginia Paige Sharpe, 83, passed away June 18, 2003 in a local hospital.

A native of Potecasi, N.C., Mrs. Sharpe retired from Versprille Hair Design as a hairdresser. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church in Norfolk and the widow of James C. Sharpe.

She is survived by her daughter, Debra A. Norton and her husband Randy Norton of Williamsburg, Va.; two granddaughters, Tracy Bellamy and her husband Jim Bellamy of Camden, Del. and Leslie Haynes and her husband Dexter Haynes of Virginia Beach; and one great-grandchild, Noah Haynes of Virginia Beach.

A funeral will be conducted Saturday at 1 p.m. in Rosewood Memorial Park with the Rev. Mark Pullen officiating. The family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, today from 7 to 8 p.m. The family will also receive friends at the home of her daughter, 6268 St. Johns Wood, Williamsburg.

Timothy L. Mitchell

VIRGINIA BEACH -- Timothy L. ``Tim'' Mitchell, 93, of the 100 block of Hughes Ave., died June 17, 2003 at Sentara Bayside.

Born in Bertie, N.C., he was retired 20 years from International Longshoremans Association after 25 years of service as a longshoreman. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church, Virginia Beach and attended Bertie County public schools.

He was a widower and is survived by daughter, Fannie Cromwell of Portsmouth; a sister, Rena Cameron of Norfolk; two grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, great-nieces, cousins and friends.

A funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in New Hope Baptist Church, 395 Old Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, by the Rev. E. Ray Cox Sr. Burial will be in Windsor, N.C. Monroe and Carl Funeral Home is in charge.

Jesse R. Watson

VIRGINIA BEACH -- Jesse Ray Watson, 81, of the 400 block of E. Plantation Road, passed away June 18, 2003 in a local hospital.

A native of Kenly, N.C., Mr. Watson lived much of his life in Washington, D.C. and made Virginia Beach his home for the past 36 years. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and later retired from the transportation industry. He was an active, longtime member of Haygood United Methodist Church. He was a dedicated member of the Democratic Party, having served a number of years on the Virginia Democratic Central Committee.

He is survived by his wife, Edith W. Watson and his children, Donald Watson and wife Suzanne of Norfolk, William Watson and wife Patsy of Dallas, Texas, Donald Lilly and wife Andrea of Pocomoke, Md., Nancy Thornton of San Antonio, Texas, Garry Lilly and wife Lisa of Chesapeake and Patricia Rhodes and husband David of Virginia Beach. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, William Watson; a sister, Audrey Batten; and a sister-in-law, Kathleen Wampler.

A funeral will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. in Haygood United Methodist Church with the Rev. Michael Nobles officiating. The family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Neck Chapel, today from 7 to 9 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Haygood United Methodist Church.

Ben J. Umphlette

SUFFOLK -- Ben J. Umphlette, 74, a former restaurant owner, died June 18, 2003.

Born Oct. 18, 1928, in Gates County, N.C., he was the son of the late William Benjamin and Agustus Hortense Raby Umphlette. Mr. Umphlette was a member and the 1988 president of the Norfolk Shrine Club and a member of the Khedive Temple. He was an Army veteran of World War II.

Survivors include his sisters, Mary Louise Rollison of Franklin and Bettie Sue Rhea and her husband Bobby of Richmond; and a brother, Raby Umphlette and his wife Martha of Nags Head, N.C.

A funeral will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. at the graveside in Holly Lawn Cemetery by the Rev. Basil L. Ballard. The family will receive friends in the R.W. Baker and Co. Funeral Home and Crematory today from 7 to 8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Heartland Hospice, 98 Kilby Shores Road, No. 100, Suffolk, VA 23434 or to Autumn Care of Suffolk, P.O. Box 1548, Suffolk, VA 23439.

Betsy J. Allport

FRANKLIN -- Betsy Johnson Allport, a longtime resident of Franklin and local artist, died June 19, 2003.

Born in Aberdeen, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Kate Holcomb and James Talbot Johnson and a proud 1940 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mrs. Allport was active in a wide variety of community activities. She was a member of Franklin Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for a number of years and served on various committees. She was a former Girl Scout leader and served on the Franklin Beautification Committee. Betsy was a member of the Franklin Garden Club and the Franklin Book Club. She was a member of the Virginia Museum, the Walter Cecil Rawls Museum and the Blackwater Art League. Her greatest loves were art, flowers and reading.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Robert Braxton Allport Jr.; a daughter, Anne McNeil Allport of Chesterfield, Va.; a son, Thomas Page Allport of Warrenton, Va.; a sister, Miriam Johnson Burlingame of Southern Pines, N.C.; a brother, Lawrence McNeil Johnson and his wife Olive of Aberdeen, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in Franklin Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Ira D. Hudgins officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the funeral at the Village at Woods Edge, 1401 N. High St., Franklin. Interment will follow on Monday at 1 p.m. in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Ackland Art Museum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 3400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3400. Wright Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Ernest L. Chandler

EDENTON -- Ernest L. Chandler, 81, of the 100 block of E. Freemason St., died June 13, 2003. A funeral will be held at 3 p.m. today at Rowsom Funeral Home, Edenton.

Thomas D. Foster

ELIZABETH CITY -- Thomas Donald Foster, 69, of the 200 block of North St., died June 17, 2003. A graveside service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the Koen Cemetery. Twiford Funeral Home is in charge.

Dessie C. Rooks

AHOSKIE -- Dessie Chavis Rooks, 97, of the 600 block of E. Stokes St., died June 16, 2003. A funeral will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Plains Baptist Church. Hertford County Undertakers, Winton, is in charge.

Louise C. Williams

MURFREESBORO -- Louise C. Williams, 80, died at her home on June 18, 2003. Preceding her in death was her husband, Roy F. Williams; two sons, Roy Lester Williams and Raymond Phillip Williams; and two sisters, Elsie Parks and Lucille Crew. Mrs. Williams was a member of the Murfreesboro United Methodist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Martha Wooten of Portsmouth; one son, Walter Williams of Washington, N.C.; one brother, Roger Crew of Norfolk; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. at Murfreesboro UMC, 313 High St., Murfreesboro, NC 27855, with the burial following at 3 p.m. at Greenlawn Cemetery, Chesapeake. Officiating will be Dr. Mike Gast. The family will receive friends at Sykes Funeral Service in Rich Square today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.

David Lee Wrighton

ROPER -- David Lee Wrighton, 45, of the 600 block of Jones White Road, died June 16, 2003. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Shiloh Church of Christ. Rowsom Funeral Home, Columbia, is in charge.

Rose Hill

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Rose Hill of the 300 block of Terr Ave. died June 14, 2003. A funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Melton Grove Baptist Church, Winfall, N.C. Abraham Applewhite & Sons Funeral Home, Suffolk, is in charge.