Virginian-Pilot

June 9, 2003

Maggie E. Booth

CHESAPEAKE -- On June 7, 2003, God in His infinite wisdom, called home our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Maggie E. Booth, after an extended stay at Sentara Nursing Center, Norfolk. She resided in the 2400 block of E. Virginia Beach Boulevard for 27 years before moving to Chesapeake.

Maggie was born in Conway, N.C., on July 20, 1909. She was the daughter of the late Luke Edwards and Easter Scott Edwards. She was married to the late Lenius L. Booth.

Maggie leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory a daughter, Helen B. Artis of Virginia Beach; a son, Otha R. Edwards of Chesapeake and a devoted daughter-in-law, Joan C. Edwards; three sisters, Clarine Woodhouse and Eva Warren, both of Norfolk, and Mary Josey Prost of Kannapolis, N.C.; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at New Macedonia Christian UCC, Norfolk, with Pastor A.D. Wright officiating. The family will assemble at 2200 Sparrow Road, Chesapeake, at noon. The remains will be placed in the church one hour prior to the funeral for viewing. Hale Funeral Home is in charge.

Martha C. Williams

CHESAPEAKE -- Martha Cullifer Williams, 86, formerly of Orville Avenue, went to be with the Lord June 6, 2003. A native of Hyde County, N.C., she was the daughter of the late John William and Rhoena Harris Cullifer and the widow of Hubert Earl Williams. She was a member of Elizabeth River Baptist Church, Chesapeake.

She is survived by three daughters, Iris Gurganus and husband, Jimmy of Williamsburg, Marcia Forbes and husband, Reggie of Old Trap, N.C., and Judy Morin and husband, Bob of Virginia Beach; a son, Hubert D. ``Bud'' Williams of Phoenix, Ariz.; seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held today at 7 p.m. in Graham Funeral Home, Greenbrier Chapel, with the family visiting with friends immediately following the service. A graveside service will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Belhaven Community Cemetery, Belhaven, N.C. Friends may sign the guest register at www.grahamfuneralhome.com.

Sylvia B. Mason

PORTSMOUTH -- Sylvia B. Mason, 68, of the 200 block of Dumont St., died June 6, 2003, in Halifax Memorial Hospital, Roanoke Rapids, N.C. She was born in Gaston, N.C., and retired from Norfolk & Southern Railroad as a shipping clerk after 30 years. She was a member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Portsmouth, and Truxton Chapter No. 63, Order of Eastern Star.

Survivors include her husband, Phillip C. Mason Sr.; two daughters, Cynthia Jones of Norfolk and Betty W. Mason of Portsmouth; two sons, Phillip C. Mason Jr. of Portsmouth and Michael A. Mason of Norfolk; five sisters, Thelma Moody of Gaston, N.C., Jesse Armstrong of Baltimore, Md., Nathornia Deloatch of Conway, N.C., Pauline Barnes of Portsmouth and Ernestine Yarbough of Philadelphia, Pa.; a brother, Davis Johnson of Richmond; four grandchildren; one aunt; nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

A funeral will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Mount Carmel Baptist Church by the Rev. E.T. Knight Sr. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake. Viewing will begin at noon Tuesday at Corprew Funeral Home. The body will be taken to the church at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Jean Bass Piland

PORTSMOUTH -- Jean Bass Piland, 85, of the 100 block of Bobby Jones Drive, died June 6, 2003.

A native of Marshville, N.C., Mrs. Piland retired from Portsmouth Public Schools as a teacher and visiting teacher. She was a member of Portsmouth United Congregational Christian Church, Classroom Teachers Association, NEA, VEA and VVTA.

Survivors include her husband, Woodrow W. Piland; two daughters, Nancy P. Creekmore and husband Oliver of Suffolk, Linda P. Tompkins and husband Stephen of Williamsburg; a sister-in-law, Ida Mae Bradshaw and husband Floyd of Portsmouth; four grandchildren, Patricia Woodson, Karen Dolvin, David Creekmore and Andrew Creekmore; and four great-grandchildren, Ryan Creekmore, Lydia Dolvin, Kristen Creekmore and Daniel Dolvin.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, by the Rev. Dolan Talbot and the Rev. Bill Simmons. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will be at the funeral home from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

George R. Harrell

ELIZABETH CITY -- George R. Harrell, 82, of the 500 block of Body Road, died June 7, 2003. A funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Twiford's Memorial Chapel, Elizabeth City.

Verlon L. Holden

SHAWBORO -- Verlon Lloyd Holden, 62, of the 100 block of Alan Sawyer Road, went to be with the Lord Saturday morning June 7, 2003 in Fayetteville.

He was born in Jackson County, N.C. Mr. Holden was the son of Gertrude Coggins Russell of Barco and the late Glen Eugene Holden and was the husband of Alean Sawyer Holden. He was employed with the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a sheet metal mechanic, a member of Providence Baptist Church and attended the New Community Church.

Besides his wife and mother, he is survived by two daughters, Monica Maynard of Coinjock and Melanie Smith of Frostproof, Fla.; one son, Jaymes Holden of Aydlett; three brothers, Edwin Holden of Barco, Charles Holden of Greenville, S.C., and Gene Holden of Brevard; three grandchildren, Joshua Holden, Kelsie Holden both of Aydlett and Allen Michael Lilly of Florida. Also, Mr. Holden is survived by two nephews, James Wesley Holden and David Holden, both of Greenville, S.C., and numerous aunts, uncles, and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, James Russell.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Twiford Memorial Chapel, 405 E. Church St., Elizabeth City, by the Rev. Charles H. Wellons and the Rev. Michael Gothard. Burial will be in the Laurel Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives in the lobby of the funeral home immediately following the service and at other times at their residence. The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Tiger Woods Foundation, 4281 Katella Ave., Ste. 111, Los Alamitos, CA 90720, or to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800. Anyone wishing to sign the online register, please visit www.twifordfh.com.