Deborah F. Baker

Deborah F. Baker

Deborah F. Baker, 52, passed March 13, 2011. Deborah was born July 12, 1958 and graduated from Granby High School and Norfolk State University. Deborah accepted Christ at an early age and joined First Baptist Church, Bute Street. She is predeceased by her father, Melvin Baker Sr.; brother, Barbie Baker; sister, Patricia Kearney; and nephew, Andre Kearney.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving mother, Carolyn Baker of Norfolk; one sister, Carole Johnson (Claud) of Chesapeake; two brothers, Stanley Baker (Autra) of Norfolk and Melvin Baker, Jr. of San Diego, CA; and a host of relatives and friends.

Eddie T. Haskins, Sr.

Eddie T. Haskins, Sr.

Eddie T. Haskins, Sr., 81, of the 1200 block of Colonial Ave. passed away March 12, 2011.

Michael J. Bell

Michael J. Bell

Michael Jerome Bell, 59, of the 3000 block of Parkside Dr. passed away March 8, 2011. He was born September 10, 1952 to the late Catherine Coolidge Bell and David Anthony.
He is survived by his daughter, Mignon Burton (Leigh); one sister, Marilyn Bell, three brothers, Jarvis and Gregory Bell, Barry Smith, 9 nieces and nephews, 19 great-nieces and nephews, one great-great niece, best friend Al Towe; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Darnell Spencer Sr.

Darnell Spencer Sr.

Darnell Spencer, 59, passed away suddenly at 10:24 AM on March 11, 2011 at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, VA.  Darnell grew up in Norfolk, attending Norview High School.  He left school to join the U.S. Army where he served two tours in Vietnam.  He later joined the Army National Guard where he retired as a master sergeant in 2006 with 24 years of service.  He was the first African-American to receive the Kit Hurst Award from the Norfolk Police Dept.  He also worked for the government for over 30 years, most recently as a QA Ship Project Coordinator at Supervisor of Shipbuilding in Newport News.

Darnell was predeceased by his father, Alfonzo Stepney.  He is survived by his mother, Melvene Spencer; wife, Jennetta Spencer; two daughters, Wanda Brown-Balthrop and Jennifer Spencer; three sons, Maurice Brown, Darnell Spencer, Jr. and Brian Brown; three brothers, Bobby Spencer, Alfonzo Stepney, Jr. and Carlton Stepney; two sisters, Melvene Olds and Valerie Stepney; four granddaughters, Scharell Correa-Brown, Brianna Brown, Dreama Brown and Anadyah Spencer; one grandson, Quayvaughn Ford; three uncles, Arthur Spencer, Wendell Spencer and Abraham Spencer; one aunt, Delores Cooper; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Darnell was known for his gregarious personality, memorable stories and his ability to make anyone laugh.  He loved movies, music and yardwork.  He was an amazing father who will be sorely missed.

Laureese S. McCullough

Laureese McCullough

Laureese S. McCullough, 66, of the 100 block of W. 37^th St. passed away March 9, 2011 at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.  She was born July 13, 1944 to the late Laura Cobb Ebron and Louis Osborne Ebron in Norfolk, VA. 

Laureese was educated in the Norfolk Public School system where she also retired after 25 years as a custodian.  She was a member of New Calvary Baptist Church where she was a member of the Mass Choir and Golden Ages Ministry.  She was predeceased by two sons, Willie Ebron and Louis Osborne Ebron II; grandson, Louis Osborne Ebron III and a sister, Gloria Martin.

She is survived by her husband, Julius E. McCullough; two daughters, Catherine McNeil and Brenda Ebron; one sister, Ruth Shepherd; one brother, Raphael Shepherd; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Victor W. McMiller

Victor W. McMiller

Victor W. McMiller, 57, of the 400 block of W. 34^th St. passed away March 5, 2011.

Denise A.L. Costict

Denise A.L. Costict

Denise Alwanza-Lula “Lil Nise” Costict was called home to be with the Lord March 5, 2011.  She was born Feb. 24, 1982 in Norfolk, VA.  She was inspirational to young and old and a Mother to many.  She was a member of the Church After God’s Own Heart.  She was predeceased by her father, Andre Costict, Sr.

Left to cherish her memory, her beloved mother, Denise Costict; her stepfather, Michael Biggs; her parents in the Lord, Raymond Porter, Gwinda Porter and her aunt, Mary Richardson; three daughters, Shanell Keene, Shaniesta Keene and Zhana Edwards; nine brothers, Andre Costict, Anshon Costict, Andrew Granberry, Deandre Askew, Jermaine Keene, Kevin Keene, Tony Warren and Antonio Watts; sisters, Katrice Wilder, Krystal Askew, Andrea Keene, Pamela Keene; and a host sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Shelton Williams, Sr.

Shelton Williams Sr.

Shelton Williams Sr. went to be in the presence of his Lord and Savior on March 5, 2011.  Shelton was the son of the late Mildred Williams and Shelton Washington.  He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend who was loved by many.  He was employed at Norfolk Community Hospital and Norfolk Banana Distributors for many years, and was a driver for the U.S. Postal Service on Church Street.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy “Doreen”; his children, Chevella, Angel, Shelton Jr., Sheltia and Tamara; two grandchildren; brothers, Phillip (Lynette), Ronald, Michael (Janie); sister, Deborah Williams; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Vernon E. Nichols

Vernon E. Nichols

Vernon E. Nichols, 61, of the 3100 block of Petre Rd. peacefully went home to be with the Lord on March 5, 2011.  He was born September 18, 1949.  Vernon retired from Brinks Co. and WPCE Radio Station and was employed by the City of Norfolk.  Vernon was predeceased by his grandfather, Edward Nichols and a nephew, Donnell A. Banks.

Survivors include:  his mother, Lillie Banks; one sister, Pamela Perry; one brother, Derek Banks; one niece, Toinette L. Banks; two great nieces, Teyonna Banks and Keynia Boone; and a host of other relatives and friends.

John Henderson Jr.

John Henderson Jr.

John Henderson, Jr., 64, of the 7900 block of Merritt St. passed away March 4, 2011.  He was born July 22, 1946 to the late Lucinder and John Henderson Sr. in Elizabeth, NJ. 

John was educated in the Baltimore Public School system, University of Baltimore and University of West Florida.  He retired after 28 years with the U.S. Navy as a SK3 and later retired after 18 years from DDD-NV Building 143.  He was a member of Way of the Cross Church, Norfolk.

He is survived by his wife, Carletta Henderson; four daughters, Johnetta Henderson, Carla Brown (Eric), Jessica Morgan and Chanell Rountree; one son, Byron Rountree; one sister, Julie Mack; two grandchildren, Eric Brown Jr. and Traiviyon Wilson; aunt, Annie Mae Durham; two best friends, Michael G. Machen and Jimmie Curtis; and a host of other relatives and friends.