DAVID W. BYRD
GLOUCESTER – The Rev. David W. Byrd, 73, died Monday, July 14, 1997.
He was a member of First Morning Star Baptist Church in Bena. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography, proprietor of Byrd’s Photographic Studio in Newport News and had been employed as a photographer at Fort Eustis from 1955 until his retirement in 1982. He served as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Coke for 18 years before retiring in June 1994.
His community involvement included: Boy Scout master; co-manager of a youth baseball team; founder of Young Christian Leaders; member of the Gloucester Ministerial Alliance; past moderator of the Gloucester-Mathews Union Relief Association; volunteer at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, Walter Reed Convalescent Center and Agency on Aging; delivered Meals On Wheels and ministered with this wife at Gloucester House, a retirement and care residence.
He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Lula Byrd; three sons, David Byrd of San Jose, Calif., Eric Byrd of Huntsville, Ala., and Alan Byrd of Jackson, Tenn.; three daughters, Cynthia Foster of Hayes, Mildred Byrd of San Jose, Calif., and Saundra Coleman of Hampton; sister, Blanche Gay of Newport News; and five grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at First Morning Star Baptist Church in Bena. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. at First Morning Star Baptist Church.
Howard Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
BERNADINE S. CAMPBELL
SEAFORD – Bernadine Simpson Campbell, 30, a lifelong resident of Seaford, died Wednesday, July 16, 1997.
Born Feb. 13, 1967, Bernadine was a 1985 graduate of York High School and a graduate of Jan-Mar Beauty Academy. She was a former employee of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. She was currently working at Riverside Regional Medical Center.
She is survived by her husband, A. Allen Campbell; son, Parker Allen; parents, Daniel E. and Eleanor C. Simpson; brother, Blake Simpson; and grandparents, Ralph and Alma Tarrach, all of Seaford.
A funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Zion United Methodist Church, Seaford, with the Rev. Thomas K. Lee officiating. Burial will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park, Newport News. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Amory Funeral Home, Grafton.
She will be sorely missed by her large family and extensive circle of friends; to them she was an angel.
BLAKE S. CARROLL
RALEIGH, N.C. – Blake Stephenson Carroll, 8, of 5809 Heathill Court, died July 2, 1997, in an accidental drowning.
Blake played on the Garner Cheetahs Soccer Team for four years and the Garner Area Youth Softball League for A&J; Designs. He was a member of the Hampton Ridge Swim Team. He was an avid roller blader and snow skier. Blake would have been a third grader at the new, year-round Timber Drive Elementary School this month.
He is survived by his parents, Ricky B. and Susan Carroll; sisters, Jessica and Jenna, both of the home; maternal grandmother, Delores S. Curl, and her husband, David Curl, of Pittsboro, N.C.; paternal grandmother, Sue S. Ward, and her husband, George Ward, of Etna Drive, Newport News; maternal great-grandmother, Mrs. Rita Grimes Boyd of Smithfield, N.C.; aunt, Sharon Stephenson of Clayton, N.C.; uncles, Grady Stephenson of Garner, N.C., and Terry L. Carroll of Williamsburg; and cousins, Chelsea and Justin Carroll of Williamsburg. Blake was the grandson of the late Grady O. Stephenson and the late Blake L. Carroll.
Blake will always be remembered for his spirit, his love of life and his caring and compassionate concern for his friends, his family and his dog, Mollie. The family and friends of Blake will intensely miss him for as long as they live.
Visitation was held Saturday, July 5, from 6:30 p.m. to midnight at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Garner, N.C. Funeral services were held Sunday, July 6, at 3 p.m. at Mount Zion United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Vance Elementary Media Center and Mount Zion United Methodist Church in honor of Blake S. Carroll. Contributions may be sent to BB&T;, Attention: Ann Marie Proper, P.O. Box 27961, Raleigh, N.C. 27611.
ALBERT D. COLEMAN
WILLIAMSTON, N.C. – Retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Albert Daniel Coleman, 79, of 204 Marshall Ave., died Tuesday, July 15, 1997, at Martin General Hospital.
Born in Halifax County, N.C., on Nov. 20, 1917, he was the son of Patrick H. Coleman and Adeliade Williams Coleman. He married Lillie Mae Lee Coleman April 30, 1943. He was a member of West End Baptist Church and served 30 years in the military.
He is survived by his wife, Lillie Mae Lee Coleman; daughters, Barbara C. Harding of McLean, Jean C. Coleman of Charleston, S.C., and Lynn C. Stieffen of Hampton; and five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 17, with Dr. William Harkins officiating at Biggs Funeral Home Chapel, Williamston, N.C. Burial will be in Parklawn Memorial Park, 2539 Armistead Ave., Hampton.
Memorials may be made to the Williamston Rescue Squad, Washington Street, Williamston, N.C. 27892.
Biggs Funeral Home, Williamston, N.C., is in charge of arrangements.
HORACE L. DEARING
NEWPORT NEWS – Horace L. Dearing, retired employee of Newport News Parks and Recreation, died Wednesday, July 16, 1997. Arrangements by O.H. Smith & Son Funeral Home.
J. DOSWELL DUTTON
GLOUCESTER – J. Doswell Dutton, 81, died Wednesday, July 16, 1997, at Riverside Walter Reed hospital.
A lifelong resident of Gloucester, he was the owner of Dutton Hardware for 43 years. Mr. Dutton was a member of First Presbyterian church, where he served as an elder. He was a member of Botetourt Lodge No. 7 A.F. & A.M. since 1951 and served as trustee, Scottish Rite Bodies of Valley of Richmond, knights commander of the Courts of Honor in Richmond, Virginia Research Lodge No. 1776 of Highland Springs and Kadive Temple AAONMS of Norfolk and the Board of Governors of Masonic Home for 12 years. He also organized and was past president of Tidewater Shrine Club for two years, was a past master and district deputy grand master for the 11th Masonic District and was past president of Gloucester Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad.
He is survived by his wife, Annie H. Dutton of Gloucester; four stepsons, Samuel Dutton of Cobbs Creek and William Dutton, Richard Dutton and Robert Rilee, all of Gloucester; one sister, Jean Mason of Denbigh; one brother, Granville “Dick” Dutton of Richmond; two sisters-in-law, Countess Dutton of Woods Cross Roads and Frances Rilee of Gloucester; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Charles Tucker and the Rev. David W. Billhimer. Burial will be in Petsworth Baptist Church Cemetery with Masonic rites.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 581, Gloucester, Va. 23061; or the Gloucester Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1417, Gloucester, Va. 23061.
Andrews Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
MARIE S.W. GRINELS
WAKE – Marie Scott Wilkerson Grinels, 84, widow of William Fleet Grinels, died Monday, July 14, 1997. Arrangements by Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home, Saluda.
ROBERT E. HARRIS
HAMPTON – Robert E. Harris, 23, departed this life Sunday, July 13, 1997. Robert, an Orthodox Muslim, worshipped at Al-Quba Islamic Center in Newport News. His chosen name was Abdul Rahman.
He is survived by his wife, Cicely Regina Harris of Hampton; mother, Jessica Harris of Newport News; stepfather, Isaac Hawkins of Warsaw; brother, Rodney Benson of Montgomery, Ala.; stepsister, Angela Hawkins of Richmond; father and mother-in-law, James and Onnie Dortch of Hampton; and a host of family and friends.
Family and friends are invited to the home of his mother, Jessica Harris, to view Mr. Harris Friday evening, July 18, at 59 Pear Ave., Newport News. A graveside service will be held Saturday, July 19, at 1 p.m. in Hampton Memorial Gardens.
FRANCES E. HUDGINS
RICHMOND – Dr. Frances E. Hudgins, 76, died Wednesday, July 16, 1997, at St. Mary’s Hospital. Arrangements by Purviance Funeral Home, Wakefield.
PAUL P. KIDDER
FRANKLIN – Paul Parker Kidder, 86, father of Mary Kidder Rich, died Tuesday, July 15, 1997. Arrangements by Wright Funeral Home.
CARRIE A. MUNDON
SUFFOLK – Carrie A. Mundon, 73, wife of Douglas Mundon, died Tuesday, July 15, 1997. Arrangements by Crocker Funeral Home.
FLOYD M. SIMMONS
NEWPORT NEWS – Floyd Maxwell Simmons, husband of Sharon Byrd Simmons, died Tuesday, July 15, 1997. Arrangements by Franklin Funeral Home.
CLARENCE V. STARR
NEWPORT NEWS – Clarence V. Starr, 78, died Tuesday, July 15, 1997. A native of Chattanooga, Tenn., he had been a Peninsula resident since 1958.
In 1960, Mr. Starr retired from the U.S. Navy as a 2nd class petty officer after 20 years of service. During this time, he served in World War II and Korea. For medical reasons, he retired the second time in 1980 from Horne Brothers Shipyard as a pipe fitter after 17 years of service.
Survivors include his wife, Audra Starr; four daughters, Nancy Taylor of Wiggins, Miss., Louise Wilkie and Brenda Miller, both of Imperial 性视界传媒, Calif., and Peggy Foster of Newport News; three sisters, Florence Michaelangelo and Ruth Parks, both of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Tommy Maynard of St. Petersburg, Fla.; brother, Robert Starr of Fayetteville, Ga.; and 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
At Mr. Starr’s request, his body has been cremated. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
BETTIE J.W. STIVENDER
WILLIAMSBURG – Bettie Jane Winchester Stivender died early Tuesday morning, July 15, 1997, ending a long and courageous fight with cancer.
Born in Wauchula, Fla., to Dallas and Lillian Winchester, Bettie attended Florida State University. She married Milton Norris Stivender in 1949 and followed him and his career in the U.S. Coast Guard across the country.
When Stivender was assigned to the Yorktown Coast Guard Reserve Officer Training Center, the family knew it had found its home. Bettie became active in the community and remained so until her death.
Bettie was a past president of the Williamsburg Area Council of Garden Clubs and was instrumental in starting Arbor Day in Williamsburg, receiving the Garden Club Arbor Day award. This past Arbor Day, she was given an award of appreciation for the many years of serving as Nature Camp scholarship chairman and for promoting the sending of young people to Nature Camp. This year, five young people will attend Nature Camp, which is the most in one year’s time from the Williamsburg area, due to her efforts.
She was a member of the Skipwith Farms Garden Club, served on the Tidewater District and State Boards of the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs Inc. and a National Master Accredited flower show judge. She chaired flower shows, gave demonstrations on flower arranging and enjoyed sharing her knowledge and love of flowers with others. She had received state and national life membership pins, an honor afforded those who have done outstanding work within their garden clubs.
She was an active member of the Skipwith Farms Civic Association and a member of the Home Owners Council of Williamsburg. She served on the Virginia Urban Forest Council, representing the Williamsburg area; the Williamsburg Beautification Advisory Board, pursuing underground wiring for the city’s utilities; and the Civic Beautification Committee for the Tricentennial Commission.
She worked as a substitute teacher in the James City County schools; she was always called because she was a good and caring teacher. She was a member of Williamsburg Baptist Church, where she served on the flower and usher committees and was a member of the Williamsburg Christian Women’s Club.
Preceded in death by her husband, Bettie is survived by a son, Robert; daughter, Deborah Rackley; two granddaughters, Jennifer and Melissa Rackley; brother, Charles Winchester of Thomasville, Ga.; and a sister, Helen Smith of Tallahassee, Fla.
A funeral service will be held Friday, July 18, at 2 p.m. at Williamsburg Baptist Church with Dr. W. Wayne Price officiating. Interment will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Memorials may be made to the Bettie Stivender Nature Camp Scholarship Fund, Williamsburg Area Council of Garden Clubs, 101 John Paine, Williamsburg, Va. 23185; and by planting a tree in her memory.
Bucktrout of Williamsburg is in charge of arrangements.
JACK M. TAWNEY
WILLIAMSBURG – Jack Michael Tawney, 48, died Tuesday, July 15, 1997. Arrangements by Williamsburg Funeral Home.
ARTHUR C. WATKINS
HAMPTON – Arthur C. Watkins, 79, died Monday, July 14, 1997. He was a native of Hammond, Ore., and a retired U.S. Army sergeant first class. He married Rosalie Ann Carr of Pawtucket, R.I., in 1945, and they resided there until 1950. She preceded him in death in 1990.
He was a World War II, Korean War and Vietnam veteran, possessing over 27 years of service upon his retirement in 1973. He had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal twice, the World War II Victory Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, the Vietnam Service Medal with five campaign stars and senior air crewman wings. He was of Roman Catholic faith and a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. Mr. Watkins was an avid fisherman and spent many vacations on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
He is survived by two daughters, Charlene Foughner of Hampton and Rosalie Dalton of Beaumont, Texas; two sons, Joseph Watkins of Bayonne, N.J., and Charles Watkins of Gerrardstown, W.Va.; two brothers, Elmer Watkins of Alabama and Bill Watkins of Arkansas; three sisters, Myrtle Lance and Ethel Wood, both of Kansas, and Eva Mae Dobbs of Arkansas; and 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by two children, Jeffery Gerard Watkins and SaraJane McDonald and his sister, Nadine Wilson.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be conducted by the Rev. Robert E. French at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Friday, July 18. Burial will follow in Hampton National Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church beginning at 7 p.m. today, and a Christian wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the Outer Banks Catholic Parish, 1207 North Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. 27948.
Lawrence B. Wood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
