Virginian-Pilot

June 7, 2003

Margaret H. Church

NORFOLK -- Margaret H. Church, 85, a retired civil servant, passed away June 5, 2003 at Julia's Home in Chesapeake.

Mrs. Church, a native of Gates County, N.C., was the widow of Harry G. Church. She was a member of Miles Memorial United Methodist Church, a member and past worthy matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Westminster Chapter No. 99 and many other Masonic organizations.

Survivors include several nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held Monday at 2 p.m. in Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, with the Rev. William ``Gus'' Wright officiating. An Eastern Star service shall follow. Entombment will follow in Forest Lawn Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriner's Hospital, c/o Khedive Temple, 645 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320.

Veronica L. Purvis

NORFOLK -- Veronica L. ``Vickie'' Purvis, 37, of the 4600 block of Mayflower Road, died June 2, 2003. A funeral will be today at 1 p.m. at Sure Word of Prophecy, Plymouth, N.C. Puckett-Purkett Funeral Home, Roper, N.C., is in charge.

Alice M. High

PORTSMOUTH -- Alice M. High died June 3, 2003 at Maryview Medical Center. Born in Rocky Mount, N.C., she retired as a nurse from Portsmouth General Hospital after 30 years of service and was a member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Portsmouth.

The widow of Kenneth P. High Sr., she is survived by four sons, Kenneth P. High Jr. of Richmond, Phillip Ali of Portsmouth, Zeb F. High Sr. of Virginia Beach and Johnny High of Maryland; two sisters and four brothers.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday at Corprew Funeral Home, Portsmouth, by the Rev. Samuel B. Mills Sr. Viewing will begin today at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Sunday for the service.

Jewel M. Spence

VIRGINIA BEACH -- Jewel M. Spence, 101, of Virginia Beach and formerly of Norfolk, went to be with the Lord June 5, 2003. She was the widow of Raymond B. Spence and the daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin and Minnie Morgan Merritt of Northampton County, N.C. She was a member of the Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Chesapeake, the WOM organization and an honorary member of the King's Daughters.

Survivors include a son, Melvin M. Spence and his wife Betsy of Virginia Beach; two daughters, Shirley L. Spencer and her husband Ed of Virginia Beach and Dorothy S. Dederick and her husband Ron of Virginia Beach and Greenwich, Conn.; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Indian River Chapel, Monday at 11 a.m. with Dr. Ken Barnes, pastor, Woodland Heights Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Donations may be made in memory of Mrs. Jewel Spence to Woodland Heights Baptist Church for the Paul D. Moore Scholarship Fund.

Elsa L. Avery

HERTFORD -- Elsa L. Avery died June 6, 2003. A memorial service will be at the Snug Harbor Community Interdenominational Church at 2 p.m. Sunday. Twiford's Funeral Home, Elizabeth City, is in charge.

James W. Ballance Sr.

ELIZABETH CITY -- James Wilson Ballance Sr., 68, of the 1100 block of Lynch's Corner Road, died June 5, 2003. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Twiford Funeral Home, Elizabeth City, is in charge.

Clara O. Hardy

AULANDER -- Clara O. Hardy died on June 5, 2003. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Wilder's Funeral Home Chapel.

Blackwell Speight

SUNBURY -- Ervin Blackwell Speight Jr., 85, of the 400 block of Acorn Hill Road, died June 6, 2003 in Obici Hospital, Suffolk.

Mr. Speight was born in Gates County and was the son of the late Ervin Blackwell Sr. and Katie Pierce Speight. A retired sales representative with Webster Brick Co. in Suffolk, he was a member of Sandy Cross Baptist Church and had served in the U.S. Army during World War II where he was Purple Heart recipient.

Surviving are a daughter, Judy Brothers; a son, Donald Speight, both of Suffolk; a sister, Ella Mary Savage of Bowie, Md.; a devoted cousin, Douglas Speight of Scotland Neck; close friends and caregivers, the Douglas Briggs Family; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in Sandy Cross Baptist Church by the Rev. E. Vernon Gilmer Jr. Burial will be in Holly Lawn Cemetery, Suffolk. Friends may join the family in the social hall of the church following the funeral or all other times at the home of Douglas and Joyce Briggs, 431 Acorn Hill Road, Sunbury.

Annie G. Swain

ROPER -- Annie Kathleen G. Swain, 80, of the 600 block of Marriner Road, died June 4, 2003. A funeral will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at New Bethel Disciples Church of Christ, Roper. Rowsom of Columbia is in charge.

Troy Zimmerman

RALEIGH -- Troy Zimmerman died June 5, 2003. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church of Kelford. Wilder's Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge.