(WHS) Nancy Orrison (Robertson)

WHS - Nancy Orrison died Thursday morning, December 22, 2016 at The Newport nursing home after a year- long battle with melanoma cancer. She was 61 years old. She is now in heaven, where there is no pain or suffering with God who wipes every tear from her eyes. Nancy joins her beloved family members and friends who preceded her in death including her mother, Margaret Kelley Robertson, and her father, John Samuel Robertson. She is survived by her husband, Paul Orrison and their son, Connor Orrison; her sister, Peggy Woodall and her husband, Butch Woodall; her niece, Ashley Woodall, and her nephew, Brice Woodall, his wife Mirta and their son Mauricio. Nancy's cousins who were so loving and sup...

(WHS) Patricia Ann "Pat" Howard (Ruffin)

Patricia Ann (Ruffin) Howard was born on March 7, 1955, in Newport News, Virginia. She was the daughter of the late James McKoy Ruffin and Clarice Porter Ruffin. Following her courageous battle with cancer, our beloved Patricia (Pat), quietly graduated to glory, Saturday, July 10, 2021, at Riverside Regional Medical Center, Newport News, VA. Pat is survived a daughter Brooke Howard of Newport News, VA; two brothers James Ruffin, Jr. (Dianne) and Dennis Ruffin (Debra) both of Hampton, VA.; nephew Michael Ruffin (Tierra); a niece Dedra Ruffin and a great nephew Enoch Ruffin, all reside in Hampton, VA.

(MHS) Larry Donell Ruffin

Our beloved Larry Donell Ruffin (Rock) was one whose life was notable for his loving, caring and compassionate ways. He was admired highly, esteemed and clearly loved as a husband, brother, uncle and friend.

Larry Ruffin was the husband of Lachelle Johnson. He was born April 5, 1954 in Pitt County, NC to Albert and Essie Ruffin, Sr. He completed his education in the Newport News Public School System and graduated from Menchville High School in 1973. He attended Ferrum College and later enlisted in United States Army. Following his military service, he resided on the Peninsula and worked in various positions; namely the Newport New School Board as Area Custodial Supervisor...

(WHS) Marilyn Elizabeth Ruffin

Marilyn Elizabeth Ruffin, 67, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2023, surrounded by family and friends. Marilyn, or more affectionately known as “The Songbird” to many of her family and friends, was born on August 15, 1955, to the late Bennie Lewis Ruffin, Sr. and Arginetta Hawkins Ruffin in Trenton, New Jersey.

Marilyn’s education began in Trenton in 1960, and ended in Newport News Public Schools where she graduated in 1973 from Warwick High School. For a short while, she attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia where her most favorite memory was singing with VCU’s choir, Black Awakening. She worked faithfully at the Newport News City Hall, beginnin...

(MHS) Carol Lynn Hogge (Russell)

(MHS) Joseph Albert Savastio

(WHS) Brenda Cecelia Ussery (Scarlett)

Brenda Scarlett Ussery, 69, passed away on June 10, 2025, at her home in Newport News, surrounded by her loving family, after a long battle with failing health. Brenda was born on May 1, 1956, and was preceded in death by her parents, Bobby and Mary Scarlett, and her brother Gary. She graduated from Warwick High School in 1973. She enjoyed her role as a housewife and was a loving wife and mother. She loved watching her son and then her grandson on the baseball field and was a member of the Denbigh Youth Baseball League board for years. She will be missed tremendously.

Brenda and her husband, Phillip, celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss earlier this year. She is survived by her hus...

(DHS) John Steven Seburn

John Steven Seburn 'Steve', age 62, died on September 8, 201 7 in Farmville, VA. Steve was a lifelong resident of Newport News, graduating from Denbigh High before enlisting in the U.S. Navy and serving on board the USS Iwo Jima. After his discharge, Steve attended Thomas Nelson Community College and was then was employed by Yorktown Naval Weapons Station in Hampton VA, and the Richmond Veteran's Medical Center. Steve recently moved to the Pamplin, VA area where he enjoyed working part-time at Longwood University and riding with the Appomattox Retreads Motorcycle Club. He is survived by his wife, Connie, of Pamplin; sons Robert Leach (Rebecca) of Denver, CO; Jonathan Leach (Paula) of Richmon...

(DHS) Darlene Marie Hall (Shanabrook )

Darlene Shanabrook Hall, 35, died Sunday, Sept 30, in a Medical College of Virginia hospital, Richmond. A native of Carlisle, Penn., Mrs. Hall was a Peninsula resident 29 years. She was a member of North Riverside Baptist Church, where she volunteered for the children's choir, and was director of the Girls Auxiliary. Mrs. Hall was a former volunteer for Campus Life Peninsula Youth For Christ, a life member of the Northampton Volunteer Rescue Squad for the past 13 years, an American Heart Association CPR instructor, and an EMT instructor for the Newport News Fire Department for the past three years. . Mrs. Hall was an emergency medical technician for the Newport News Fire Department. Survivor...

(DHS) Karen Marie Shanklin

Miss Karen Shanklin Miss Karen Marie Shanklin 14-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Miles Shanklin of 4 Dora Drive, Newport News, died unexpectedly Friday in Ports mouth Naval Hospital. A native of Burlington, N. C, she had been a resident of the Peninsula for six years. She was a ninth grade student at Denbigh High School and at tended Asbury United Methodist Church. Additional survivors include a sister. Marv Ann Shanklin of Newport News, and her paternal grandfather, William Oscar Andrews of Mebane, N. C.

(FHS) Jerry Vonzell Sinclair

Jerry Vonzell "Vonnie" Sinclair 60, entered into eternal rest September 24, 2014. Preceding him in death was his wife Judith M. Sinclair and mother Joyce S. Bibens. Left to cherish his memories are son Jarvis Earl Sinclair (Catherine), granddaughter Raygan, step grandson Wyatt, brother Donald Sinclair (Starnette), an extended family of in-laws, aunts, uncles, niece, nephews, and friends.

(WHS) David Singleton

David Singleton JACKSONVILLE, Fla. David Singleton, 40, departed this life on Monday, Jan. 30, 1995, in Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Fla. A native of Newport News, he was the son of the late Dennis and Theola Singleton. He was a 1973 graduate of Warwick High School, a 1977 graduate of the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the Black Voices. He did further studies at George Washington University in Washington, D.C After graduation, he worked in Prince William County, Md., and Alexandria, Va., as a social worker and as an administrator for the Washington, D.C, Office of Aging. He later moved to Jacksonville, where he worked for the HRS Department of Rehabilitatio...

(FHS) Elisabeth Susan "Lisa" Sipe

(FHS) Randolph Thomas Smiley

Randolph Smiley. HAMPTON Randolph Thomas "Tommy" Smiley, 37, a native and lifelong resident of Newport News, died Saturday, Jan. 18. Mr. Smiley was employed as a retail manager. He was a member of the Temple Baptist Church. He was a graduate of Ferguson High School and was an Air Force veteran. Survived by his father, Maclyn Smiley of Reidsville, N.C; his mother, Jacquelyn Smiley of Newport News; a daughter, Jennifer Branch of Newport News; his maternal grandmother, Maggie Wright of Newport News; his paternal grandfather, Roy Smiley of Hampton; three sisters, Susan Penske of Hampton, Becky Smiley of New York and Adrienne Smiley of Newport News, and a brother Dave Smiley, Lexington and a gran...

(WHS) Vickie Renee Gozy (Smith)

Vickie Smith Gozy of Newport News, Va., passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2011. She was born June 23, 1955, in Sandersville, Ga., to the late Marion K. Smith Sr. and Constance Blidge Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Marion Kevin Smith Jr.

She is survived by her husband, Alan Gozy; aunt, Shirley Prosser; niece, Sharnya Smith; special cousins, Jean Prosser and Elgin Simmons; and a host of other family and friends.

(WHS) Beril William Smith

NEW KENT COUNTY — Beril William Smith Jr., 50, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005, doing what he loved best, riding his Harley. Born in Newport News, he had been a resident of New Kent County for the past 15 years.

Beril worked for Philip Morris as a millwright for eight years and was a member of the Machinist Union Local #10. He was also member of the H.O.G, Harley Owners Group of Richmond. He was a member of New Bridge Baptist Church and had been attending the New Covenant of the Fellowship of Christ.

He will be remembered for his free, kind and tender spirit. He was deeply loved and will be missed by his wife, family and friends. Beril was a wonderful ex...

(MHS) Robert Lee "Smitty" Smith

Mr. Robert Smith, III 58, the husband of Beverly Smith passed away on Friday, December 20, 2013.

(FHS) Thomas Archer Stokes

Thomas Archer Stokes Jr., 38, of 1008-A 37th Street, Newport News, died Tuesday, May 31, 1994. He was a native of Newport News and a U.S. Army veteran. He won awards for sports at Ferguson High School and Norfolk State University. He is survived by his mother and father, Thomas Archer Stokes Sr. and Melba Elaine Stokes; five sisters, Tereasa Stokes, Vivian I. Brandon, Delphine Stokes, Angela E. Stokes and Archerlina Boswell; three brothers, Donnie L. Stokes, Michael Stokes and Allen A. Mayo; six nieces and seven nephews.

(DHS) Jacqueline Knabel (Stumph)

Mrs. Jacqueline Marie “Jackie” Knabel age 66, of Lawtey passed away on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Kindred Hospital in Green Cove Springs following an extended illness. Jackie was born on May 25, 1955 in France, and has been a resident of Lawtey for the past 35 years.
She worked as a Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Meridian Hospital. Jackie loved fishing, jewelry making, and animals (which was made obvious in her endless rescuing of cats and dogs).
She was preceded in death by her mother, Rosetta (Murphy) Stumpf. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Martin Knabel of Lawtey; father, Albert Stumpf of Henryville, IN; brother, John (Shannon) Stumpf of Henryville,...

(MHS) Chris LaVerne Suiter

In Loving Memory of Chris L. Suiter, March 9, 1954 - March 14, 2013. Chris leaves behind her son, Carl Suiter; grandson, Kysahn Suiter; sisters, Valary and Cecelia; brother, Dellie (Rock); and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.