U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Robert W. Straw
Robert Whittle Straw, 78, of Urbanna, went to be with our Lord on March 31, 2012.
Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Melanie, and his son, David. He will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 51 years, Beth Straw of Urbanna; sons, Robert of Switzerland, and Matthew and his wife Leslie of Richmond; son-in-law, Richard Fox of Richmond; daughter-in-law, Becky of Richmond; and sister, Thelma of New York; 10 grandchildren, Ann-Christine, Sarah-Maria, Franziska and Jeannette Straw of Switzerland; Preston, Emily and Marybeth Fox of Richmond; Laura Jane and John Straw of Richmond; and a great-grandson, Matheo-Luca of Switzerland.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He lived life to the fullest—his family always came first, but he loved sailing, fishing, living on the water in Urbanna, and his many friends. Bob always loved the arts—from the time he met Beth on stage in Norfolk in 1960. A happy man, he always believed in taking the high road.
Bob was a trained police officer with the Norfolk police before serving in the U.S. Army in Korea. He had a long career with State Farm Insurance as attorney-negotiator until retirement. He was very involved in community activities such as former president of the Central Middlesex County Rescue Squad, Master Mason for 38 years, member of the Kiwanis Club, member of Urbanna Baptist Church, and former town councilman of Urbanna. He was very active in serving his community until his last days.
Rev. Jimmy Maroney will lead a memorial service at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at Urbanna Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Urbanna Baptist Church or the Central Middlesex Volunteer Rescue Squad of Urbanna.
Kenneth C. Rowe
Kenneth C. Rowe, 82, of Urbanna died Monday, March 26, 2012.
He retired from the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company with 43 years of distinguished service as a 1st class machinist. He received the prestigious Master Shipbuilder Award in 1994 and was a life member of the Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department, serving his community since 1958, and also attended Remlik Wesleyan Church. Kenneth served as Grand Marshal of the 2009 Urbanna Christmas Parade.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jeannine Davis Rowe; sisters, Clara R. Childress and Phyllis R. Simonton of Urbanna; a niece, Joanie Ward and her husband Pete; great-nephew, Ron Ward; great-niece, Shannon Kerr and her husband Jeff; and great-great-nieces, Carson and Mallory Kerr.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at Remlik Wesleyan Church. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church with a reception following the service.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Remlik Wesleyan Church, 370 Burch Road, or Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 71, both in Urbanna, VA 23175. Arrangements by Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Saluda.
Debra N.T. Herring
Debra Nanette Taylor Herring was born January 12, 1964 in Saluda. She departed this life Friday, June 27, 2008 at Lourdes Hospital in Willingboro, New Jersey.
Mrs. Herring received her formal education in Middlesex. After middle school, she moved to Philadelphia, Pa., for a short period of time. In the early 1970s she continued her education and graduated from Middlesex High School. In the late 1970s she moved back to Philadelphia. She was employed at ASO (government).
She was joined in holy matrimony to Abraham Herring and their union was blessed with one child, Sandra Annette Herring.
She was preceded in death by her father, George Taylor. Survivors include her husband, Abraham Herring; one daughter, Sandra Herring; mother, Hilda Boyd Walker; stepfather, Sylvester Walker; two sisters-in-law, Linda and April Herring; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, July 5, at Lebanon Worship Center, Saluda. Interment will be in the Mount Zion Baptist Church cemetery, Warner.
The viewing will be 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, July 3, at May Funeral Home in Willingboro, N.J., and from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church. Services of comfort by the J.K. Redmond Funeral Home.
Annie B.J. Banks
Annie Belle Jones Banks was born to the late Katherine and George C. Jones on August 4, 1912 in Hudgins Virginia. She was the fourth of 11 children. She passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2008.
Mrs. Banks was educated in the public schools of Mathews County. During her childhood, she was baptized and became a member of the First Baptist Church, Mathews.
She was employed at the Christchurch School as a cook. She retired after 36 years. In her golden years, she continued to work as a custodian with the U.S. Postal Service. She held that position for 15 years.
Mrs. Banks was joined in holy matrimony to the late Frank Banks. From this union, six children were born. “Queen Annie” was one of the many names her children and grandchildren used with great affection.
Every Sunday, the family and friends loved to gather at her home for great meals and reminisce about the good old days. After she could no longer take care of herself, she resided at the Riverside Convalescent Center for eight years.
Mrs. Banks was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one son, George L. Banks; six grandchildren; three sisters; seven brothers; one daughter-in-law, Beatrice L. Banks; one step-daughter, Elizabeth Washington; and one son-in-law, James Anderson.
Survivors include: five children, Joseph Banks (Maria) of Wake, Charles Banks (Mary) of Gloucester, Elizabeth Anderson of Urbanna, Mary Griffin (Thomas) of Topping, and Tyrone Banks (Bessie) of Richmond; daughter-in-law, Dorothy Banks; grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, other relatives and friends.
The funeral service was held June 28 at Lebanon Worship Center, Saluda. Interment was in Immanuel Baptist Church cemetery, Saluda.
Charles L. Price Jr.
Charles Levi Price Jr., 91, of Urbanna died at his home Friday, June 27, 2008. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Mills Price.
Mr. Price was born in Columbus County, N.C. on January 20, 1917, and was the son of Charles Levi Price and Mary Ann Currie Price. He retired from the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant and was a disabled veteran, earning a Purple heart in WWII.
He was a member of Urbanna United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his daughter, Kathryn Price Stein of Denver, Colo.; two sons, Lee Gregory Price of Richmond, and Charles Levi Price of Mt. Airy, N.C.; one surviving sister, Elizabeth Price Royal of Whiteville, N.C.; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and Doris Johnson, his business associate and friend.
A graveside service was held at the Lebanon United Methodist Church in Whiteville, N.C., on July 1. Rev. Neal Smith officiated. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Center of Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, Route 17, Box 1130, Gloucester, VA 23061.
Wanda Mae Brooks
Wanda Mae Brooks, 44, of Water View died Sunday, July 20, 2008.
Services will be announced in next week’s Southside Sentinel.
Arrangements by Bristow-Faulkner Funeral & Cremation Services, Saluda.
Mildred V. Rountree
Mildred Virginia Rountree, 82, of Topping, passed away at home on October 14, 2008.
She was a native of Lexington, and had been a longtime Hampton resident before moving to Gates County, N.C., then to Topping in 2003.
Mrs. Rountree enjoyed cooking, sewing, crafts and, with her late husband, gardening, growing vegetables and bird watching. She will be remembered by many for her kindness and concern for others.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Willie Daniel Rountree, who passed away on May 26, 2008; and her son, Dennis Ray Rountree, who died on May 26, 2006.
She is survived by two daughters, Sheila Hudson and husband Ronnie of Topping, and Cathy Mays and husband Dennis of Fredericksburg; one brother, Earl McCullough of Newport News; four grandchildren, Brian Rountree, Danny Rountree and Lisa Mikus, all of Hampton, and Denise Brooks of Elizabeth City, N.C.; and five great-grandchildren.
Graveside services for both Mr. and Mrs. Rountree were held October 16 in Peninsula Memorial Park. Arrangements by Peninsula Funeral Home.
Rebecca B. Davidson
Rebecca Bennett Davidson, of Columbia, S.C., entered into eternal rest on October 14, 2008.
Born May 14, 1926 in Urbanna, she was preceded in death by her parents, Cary Gordon Bennett and Myrian Blake Bennett. and her husband Raymond Davidson, whom she married
on October 20, 1951.
She was a graduate of James Madison University where she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and the Glee Club. Following graduation, she began medical technology training at Watts Hospital in Durham, N.C., and Riverside Hospital in Tappahannock.
She became certified as a medical technologist by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists in 1948 with a later certification in hematology. She was employed at Moncrief Army Hospital at Fort Jackson, S.C., as a hematology supervisor and contributed to the original curriculum of clinical rotations for the Midlands Technical College Associate Degree program in medical technology. Upon her retirement in 1989, she was awarded the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service.
She remained an active alumnus in her sorority chapter in Columbia where she was a Golden Violet member and served as president. As a member of Greenlawn Baptist Church, she served as a Sunday school teacher and a deacon.
Survivors include her children, Cary Gordon Davidson and his wife Susan, Carl Bennett Davidson and his wife Debbie, and Carlyn Davidson Cox; a cousin, Dr. William Paul Bennett; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and friends, Neal and Melinda Dufford, Art McAlexander and Gayle Hickman, Fred and Joanna Hornick, Sylvia and Macon “Woody” Woodlief, Emily Lee, Phyllis Wood, members of her Sunday School class, and her cherished cat “Kiki.”
Burial services were held at Harmony Grove Baptist Church, Topping, on Friday. Memorial services will be held at Greenlawn Baptist Church, Columbia, S.C., on Saturday, November 1, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Hospice & Palliative Care Center, 377 Hospital Street, Suite 103, Mocksville, N.C. 27028.
Jean Burls
Jean Burls, 79, of Urbanna, passed away on August 20, 2008 at the home of her daughter in Coral Gables, Florida.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 19, at 2 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Kilmarnock. All are invited to attend a reception afterwards in the fellowship hall hosted by the congregation of St. Andrews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either The Learning Experience School, 536 Coral Way, Coral Gables, Florida 33134, or the Central Middlesex Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 790, Urbanna, VA 23175-0790.
Hilda B. Walker
Hilda Boyd Walker, daughter of the late Phillip and Lottie Key Boyd, was born December 22, 1933 in Warner. She departed this life Friday, October 24, 2008 in Willingboro, New Jersey.
Louise D. Oliver
Louise Davis Oliver, 90, of Portsmouth, formerly of Saluda, widow of Russell L. Oliver, died Tuesday, October 14, 2008.
Charles M. Cleaver Jr.
Charles Mason Cleaver Jr., 86, of Deltaville, formerly of Colonial Heights, passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2008.
Frank (Don) Morton Jr.
Commander Frank MacDonald (Don) Morton Jr. USN (Ret.) of Water View died October 4, 2008.
Mr. Morton was born January 31, 1915 at his beloved home “Hilltop” in Water View. He graduated from Christchurch School and Hampden-Sydney College. In 1941, he married
his lifelong love, Frances Hunter, and was commissioned as an ensign. Navy duty included three tours at BuSandA; instruction at Freight Transportation School; the Armed Forces Staff College; staff duty with ComServPac and ComWest SeaFront; and, sea duty as a supply officer onboard the USS Springfield and the USS Shenandoah.
He was instrumental in the implementation of the Lend-Lease Program during WWII. After 24 years of service, he retired in 1964 and returned to Water View to pursue a livelihood in the oyster business. He was an active member of Christ Church and served on the Vestry.
Mr. Morton was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Frances H. Morton. He is survived by a son, Frank M. Morton III and his wife Kelly of Williamsburg; daughter, Hope Jacob and her husband Enrique of Lothian, Md.; granddaughters, Elizabeth Riddle and her husband Ralph, and Marion Pagoota and her husband Kent, all of Annapolis, Md.; grandson, Hunter Morton and his wife Deborah of Hartford, Conn.; and five great-grandchildren, Marion and Ella Riddle, Nash and Reid Pagoota, and Carter Morton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to a favorite charity.
The funeral service and burial will be at Christ Church in Christchurch, Middlesex County, on Thursday, October 9, at 1 p.m. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
Arrangements are being handled by Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home, Saluda.
Josh Holmes, former sheriff, dies at age 94
Former Middlesex County Sheriff Josh Holmes, 94, died on September 24 at Riverside Convalescent Center in Saluda.
Born in 1914 at Locust Hill, he was the son of the late Zachariah and Mary Lee Dudley Holmes.
Mr. Holmes started working the water as a culling boy at the age of 9 with his father on a 28-foot log canoe.
When he got older, he worked aboard menhaden vessels on the waters of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Delaware. He worked the water until 1970 when he took a job with the Urbanna Town Police Department.
In January of 1971, he was appointed Chief Deputy of Middlesex County by Sheriff Ryland Hall. Mr. Holmes served in that position until 1978 when, upon the resignation of Hall, he became the county’s first African-American sheriff.
He won election to a new four-year term in 1979, but lost his re-election bid in 1983.
Mr. Holmes was honored last year as Captain of the 50th Urbanna Oyster Festival and was featured in a documentary on the festival.
Among his many accomplishments, Holmes attended the Tidewater Police Academy of Old Dominion University in Norfolk. He received a certificate for successfully completing a course in DUI (detection and apprehension) from the Virginia Department of Transportation Safety, and earned a certificate for a course in executive development from the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association in Williamsburg in January 1980.
He completed a course in management for new sheriffs from the Virginia Association in Lynchburg and received a certificate on December 9, 1979.
Mr. Holmes was a member of Bethlehem Star Lodge #249 in Saluda.
He was educated at My Lady’s Bridge School and The Calvary School located at Christchurch. At an early age he accepted Christ as his Lord, was baptized, and joined Calvary Baptist Church at Christchurch.
On July 4, 1939 he was joined in holy matrimony to the late Willie Mary Corr and to this union six children were born, two of whom preceded him in death.
Survivors include two sons, Joshua Holmes Jr. of Fayetteville, N.C., and Elmore Holmes of Saluda; two daughters, Julia F. Graham and Hallie J. Holmes, both of Saluda; a brother and a sister, John W. Holmes and Dorothy Holmes, both of Locust Hill; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a special friend, Levi Braxton Sr.; an adopted son, William T. Bagby; and Natasha Nicole Elizabeth Smith Drummond, who thought of Mr. Holmes as “my grandaddy.”
A funeral service was held Sunday, September 28, at Antioch Baptist Church in Saluda, and interment was in the church cemetery with Masonic rites.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Holmes can be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 350, Saluda, VA 23149; Antioch Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1375, Saluda, VA 23149; or the Central Middlesex Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 790, Urbanna, VA 23175.
