obituaries

Feb 25, 2026

Iola Butts Baker, 101, died Wed Feb 25, 2026, at home in the loving care of her family. Born on August 24, 1924, she was the oldest of 10 siblings, 7 of whom lived to be adults. She was the last survivor.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Lorenzo [Lo], (Thelma), Otis [Dick] Jr. (Delores),...

Feb 22, 2026

Virgie Lee Hill, 73, of the 6200 block of Oakglen Drive, Suffolk Va departed this life on February 22, 2026, at her residence, surrounded by her loved ones, to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was born on January 22, 1953, to the late Harry Hill and Virgie Hill.

Virgie retired as a dedicated...

Feb 16, 2026

Claud Norman White was born October 26, 1933, to the late Raleigh White and Meanda Holloman White in Ahoskie, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Emma L. White. He made his transition from labor to reward on February 16, 2026.

Claud was educated in Portsmouth Public Schools. He was an...

Feb 13, 2026

Berror L. Jefferson Sr. peacefully entered eternal rest on Friday, February 13, 2026.

A funeral service will be held 1:00 pm, on Friday, February 27, 2026, at New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 1765 S Military Hwy, Chesapeake. Viewing will be held from 5pm until 7pm Thursday, at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, 500 Liberty St, Chesapeake.

Feb 10, 2026

Robert W. Davis Jr., affectionately known as "Junie," was born to Robert and Thelma Davis on March 29, 1949, and peacefully entered eternal rest on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, brother Delcasey Davis, and grandson Marquise Hunt.

He is survived by his cherished...

Feb 8, 2026

Roy Dawson Sr. peacefully entered eternal rest on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 am, on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 1765 S Military Hwy, Chesapeake. Viewing will be held from 2pm until 6pm Friday, at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, 500 Liberty St, Chesapeake.

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Feb 1, 2026

Earlie Robinson Jr., born June 10, 1935, went on to be with the Lord peacefully at his home on February 1, 2026. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great‑grandfather, son, brother, and uncle whose life was defined by love, integrity, and service to others.

Earlie was a man who loved his wife and children deeply. He...

Jan 31, 2026

It is with profound sadness, yet enduring gratitude for her life, that we commemorate Vernicia Diane Ruffin, who peacefully transitioned from this earthly realm on January 31, 2026, just three weeks after her 72nd birthday.

Vernicia's remarkable journey began on January 8, 1954, in the vibrant city of Norfolk, Virginia. She was a cherished daughter to the...

Jan 21, 2026

Hektor Zotaj passed peacefully on January 21, 2026, in Virginia Beach. He was born on October 22, 1936, in Tirana, Albania, where his life's journey began.

Raised during difficult times under a dictatorship, Hektor carried within him an unshakable optimism and a deep love for life, family, and humanity. He chose hope when hope was scarce and...

Jan 11, 2026

Dorothy Mae Small peacefully entered eternal rest surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, January 11, 2026.  A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, at St. John's A.M.E. Church, 545 E Bute Street, Norfolk. Interment will follow at Roosevelt Memorial Park. Viewing will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 5pm until...

Jan 11, 2026

Anthony Kenneth Brown, affectionately known as "Smiley" and AKB2, was born on February 12, 1961, and transitioned peacefully on January 11, 2026. True to his name, Smiley was known for his bright smile, contagious laughter, and joyful spirit. He brought warmth, humor, and love to everyone he encountered and had a remarkable way of making others feel welcome and...

Jan 1, 2026

Gilbert Lee Ashby, affectionately known as "Al Capone," was born in Princess Anne County, Virginia. He entered eternal rest on January 1, 2026, in Chesapeake, Virginia, leaving a legacy defined by intelligence, strength, humor, and love.

From an early age, Gilbert carried himself with smooth confidence and quiet discipline. As a student and athlete in the early...

Jan 1, 2026

Margaret Gordon Freeman, born May 6, 1936, to the parents of James and Emma Gordon.

She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and attended Norfolk State college. She met and married Lawrence V. Freeman, Sr., on April 11, 1958, who at that time was an SGT in the U.S. Air Force. They had four children, Joyce...

Dec 24, 2025

On December 24, 2025 our precious mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, cousin, and friend Beverly Anne Drake, peacefully passed away and entered into eternal rest. She was born on November 5, 1959, to the late Lillian H. Smith Drake and Prince Leroy Drake, Jr. in Portsmouth, Virginia. She was a member of St. John Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Dec 21, 2025

Howard Warren Smith peacefully entered eternal rest on December 21, 2025. A funeral service will be held on 12:30 pm Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, 500 Liberty St, Chesapeake.

You can join the service livestream at 12:30 pm on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at: https://www.facebook.com/PretlowandSons

Dec 15, 2025

Maaquela Lottie Holmes was born November 6, 2004, to Scharah and Jarmaar Holmes of Chesapeake, Virginia. She is preceded in death by her grandfather Herbert Brown Sr.

Maaquela was educated at Maury High School. She had a passion for doing hair with aspirations of becoming a licensed beautician. She recently turned 21 and was working towards several...

Dec 15, 2025

On December 15, 2025, at 12:09 pm, Melvin L. Bunnell, Sr., known as "Smoke" entered eternal rest surrounded by love and legacy. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Melvin lived a life marked by service, faith, and quiet strength.

He was a faithful member of Gabriel Chapel A.M.E Zion Church. Often the first...

Nov 28, 2025

On November 28, 2025, God whispered William…he looked up and smiled, gently closed his eyes and ended his journey on this side. He was born to the late William Howard, Sr. and Laura M. White-Cofield in Norfolk, VA. Bow was predeceased by his loving grandmothers Emma Lee Adams and Ida Ruth Moore.

William M. White is affectionately...

Nov 26, 2025

Denna Marshay Williams of Hampton, VA, transitioned early morning on November 26, 2025, in Newport News, VA. She was born on February 27, 1970, in Hampton, VA, and graduated from Hampton High School and received an Associate's Degree from Thomas Nelson Community College. A loving mother of four daughters, she was known as a fun-loving, incredibly resourceful woman who...

Nov 20, 2025

Altanell V. Olds, known as "Lil Sister" or "Al" peacefully transitioned from this life Thursday, November 20, 2025. She was born on August 7, 1931, in Berkeley section of Norfolk, VA to the late William and Mariah Clemmons.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Henry Olds, Jr., who she married in 1949. From that...