Earlie Robinson Jr.
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...
Vernicia D. Ruffin
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...
Hektor Zotaj
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...
Dorothy Mae Small
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...
Anthony Kenneth Brown
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...
Gilbert Lee Ashby
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...
Margaret Gordon Freeman
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...
Beverly Anne Drake
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.
...
Howard Warren Smith
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
Maaquela Lottie Holmes
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...
Melvin Lafayette Bunnell Sr.
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...
William Moses White
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...
Denna Marshay Williams
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...
Altanell V. Olds
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...
Dwight Douglas Langley
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...
Brandy Angelina Branch
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...
Autry Spencer Butts, Sr.
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...
Dr. William Horatio Adams
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.,...
Shamakae Denise Draughan
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...
Elijah Cornelius Harper Jr.
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....
