obituaries

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...

Nov 15, 2025

Dwight Douglas Langley, affectionately known as "SLY," was born on March 26, 1957, to the late Willie and Earnestine Langley.

On November 15, 2025, at the age of 68, God entered His Living Garden and chose a beautiful flower —Dwight D. Langley. Seeing that Dwight was tired, He gently called him home to rest.

Dwight...

Nov 12, 2025

Brandy Branch, age 24, of Norfolk, VA, passed away unexpectedly on November 12, 2025.

Brandy was beautiful, vibrant, and had a natural ability to draw people to her. She was an honor student, and although school was not her favorite, she loved reading—especially autobiographies. As a child, she enjoyed playing outside, riding her bike, and spending time...

Nov 8, 2025

Autry Spencer Butt, Sr., affectionately known as "Bilbert"  or "Spencer" was born on November 7, 1947, in Norfolk, Virginia to the late William Thomas Butts and Courtney Belcher Butts. As a child, he was reared up in church where he attended Morning Star Apostolic Faith Church of God.

Autry graduated from George Washington Carver High School in...

Nov 6, 2025

Dr. William Horatio Adams was born on May 6, 1970, in Mound Bayou, MS, to Emma Jean Adams and William Conner Jr. He transitioned to eternal life on November 6, 2025, at the tender age of 55 years old in Charleston, SC. He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, uncles, aunts, stepfather Jerry Strong Jr.,...

Nov 6, 2025

It is with great sadness that Shamakae Draughan family announced her sudden passing on November 6,2025 at the age of 32 years old. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia on August 30, 1993, and she attended Lake Taylor High School.

Shamakae was a loving and devoted mother to her beautiful children. She enjoyed cooking and expressing herself...

Oct 19, 2025

Elijah Cornelius Harper Jr. peacefully entered eternal rest on October 19, 2025. A funeral service will be held 12:00 pm on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at New Willow Grove Baptist Church, 841 Saint Brides Rd W, Chesapeake, VA. Viewing will be from 5pm until 7pm on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, 500 Liberty St....

Oct 15, 2025

On October 15, 2025, God laid one of his angles, Valarie Hillman Herron to eternal rest. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and dear friend.

Valarie was the daughter of the late Dave Hillman and Ida V. Cade. She is preceded in death by her daughter Tyia Hillman, brother, Robin Hillman and sisters Carla Yarborough...

Oct 15, 2025

Reynaurd Orlando Lewis Sr., 72, of Norfolk, Virginia quietly slipped away into eternal rest on Wednesday October 15, 2025. Reynaurd was born on November 8,1952 in Norfolk, VA. to the late Helen Lewis Sellers and the late Paul Daniels.

Reynaurd was a graduate of Norview High School class of 1971. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S....

Oct 9, 2025

Joyce Marie Hughes peacefully entered eternal rest on October 9, 2025. A funeral service will be held 11:00 am on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, 500 Liberty Street, Chesapeake. Viewing will be from 5pm until 7pm on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the funeral home.

You can join the service livestream at...

Oct 7, 2025

Doris Lousie Patterson entered eternal rest on October 7, 2025. A funeral service will be held 10:30 am on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at First Baptist Church West Munden, Chesapeake, Virginia. Viewing will be from 5:00pm until 7:00pm on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, 500 Liberty Street, Chesapeake, Virginia.

Oct 5, 2025

Austin Lee Crudup "Jim" entered eternal rest peacefully on Oct 5, 2025. A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at First Baptist Church South Hill, 3633 Galberry Rd., Chesapeake, Virginia. Viewing will be held Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home from 5-7pm.

You may join the service livestream at...

Oct 2, 2025

Cleophas Sandy Hockaday, 88, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, peacefully entered eternal rest on October 2, 2025. Born on November 5, 1936, in Berkley, Virginia. Sandy was the son of Eleanor M. and James E. Hockaday. Sandy is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Gwendolyn, and their 5 children and families; daughter, Lisa, (Kevin), son, Sandy Jr., (Leilani),...

Oct 1, 2025

Robert T. Leak entered eternal rest on October 1, 2025. A funeral service will be held 11:00 am on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Pretlow and Sos Funeral Home, 500 Liberty Street, Chesapeake, Virginia. Viewing will be from 10:00 am until 11:00 am the day of the service.

You can join the service livestream at 11:00 am...

Sep 27, 2025

There will be a memorial service Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 5pm till 7pm at First Baptist Church Campostella.

Sep 24, 2025

Junius Thompson, Sr., entered eternal rest peacefully on September 24, 2025. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025, at First Baptist Church Campostella, 1510 Conoga Street, Norfolk, where viewing will be from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at the church on Friday. Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, Chesapeake is in charge of arrangements....