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All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Melinda Jarvis Devereaux ************************************************************************** * Benjamin 'BenBow' Bowings, 82 DOVER - Benjamin "BenBow" Bowings of Dover died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003, in his residence. He was 82. Mr. Bowings was born in Buckeystown, Md., son of the late Benjamine F. and Bessie M. Bowings. After graduating from Frederick (Md.) High School, he later joined the Army Air Corps and retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1967 as a chief warrant officer-4. While in the military, Mr. Bowings was a personnel officer and had served in the Pacific, American and European theaters during World War II. He had received the Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Good Conduct Medal with one cluster and the National Defense Medal with clasp. He also had received all three Theater Medals with a star on the Pacific Theater, the World War II Victory Medal and the Outstanding Unit Award Medal with three clusters. Mr. Bowings found time to dedicate to a very successful business, BenBows Package Store, which was family-owned and -operated until its sale in 1988, at which time he retired. An avid gardener, Mr. Bowings grew more than 100 different roses and often opened his garden for public enjoyment. He often donated roses to Kent General Hospital and will be remembered by many as the "Rose Man," as he supplied cut roses to several of the physicians' and dentists' offices in the area. Though active in many organizations, Mr. Bowings was especially proud of being a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, where he held the post of past secretary/treasurer. Mr. Bowings also was a member of the American Legion Walter L. Fox Post 2; the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3238; the National Association for Uniformed Services; the Air Force Association; the Retired Officers Association; Narsarssuak AB (Greenland) Association; and the 2nd Strategic Air Depot Association. Active in civic and community affairs, he had been involved with the Mayfair-Crossgates-Wedgewood Civic Associations and had served as secretary/treasurer for many years with the Mayfair II Association. He also had been a member of the American Air Museum in Britain; the World War II Memorial Society; the Eighth Air Force Museum; and the Kent County Master Gardeners. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by eight sisters and four brothers. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary (May) Long Bowings of Dover; three sons and a daughter-in-law, John P. and Kathleen Bowings of Prosper, Texas, Philip F. Bowings of Austin, Texas, and Earl E. Bowings of Dallas; a daughter and son-in-law, Theresa E. and Matt Staub of Dover; a sister, Mildred Hines of Alexandria, Va.; five grandchildren, Elizabeth White, Sheldon Bowings, C. Richard Bowings and Anita M. Bakro, all of Dallas, and Kaitlyn Rose Staub of Dover; and four great-grandchildren, Dalton and Chase White and Jessica and Brandy Bowings. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso, 1175 S. State St., Dover. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Peoples United Church of Christ, 46 S. Bradford St., Dover. Burial with military honors will be 1 p.m. Monday in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear. The family suggests memorial contributions to Peoples United Church of Christ, 46 S. Bradford St., Dover, DE 19904. --------------------------------------------------------------- * John Samuel 'Uncle Bubba' Downs, 76 DOVER - John Samuel "Uncle Bubba" Downs of Dover died Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, at Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital. He was 76. Mr. Downs was born in Eastville, Va., son of the late John D. Downs and Annie Mildred Downs. He attended public school in Eastville. He moved to Delaware in 1951 where everyone soon got to know him as Uncle Bubba. He worked various jobs until his health began to fail. He brought laughter and joy to relatives, friends and acquaintances. Mr. Downs joined Jesus Love Temple Church, Milford, under the leadership of Elder Kevin Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Dorothy Downs; five sisters, Lucille Briscoe, Lillie Mae Lister, Elizabeth West, Beatrice Smith and Marie House; and a brother, Joseph Downs. He is survived by a sister, the Rev. Cordelia Custis of Eastville; a son, Timothy Silvers of Wilmington; nine grandchildren; eight nieces; four nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends; especially Ida Freeman, Willie and Lottie Fogle, and Ed and Sharon Fischer. He could count on his home being cleaned, laundry being done and a list of other needful chores getting done by his niece, Jessie Pinkney, and a friend, Sharon Fischer. Services will be noon Sunday at Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover, where friends may call two hours earlier. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Frances Corina Murray Haith, 82 SMYRNA - Frances Corina Murray Haith of Smyrna died Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 82. Mrs. Haith was born May 2, 1920, in Greensboro, N.C., daughter of the late William and Daisy Murray. She was a faithful member of Mount Olive Pentecostal Church, Smyrna, where she was a mother of the church and a Senior Choir member, served on the Usher Board and was president of the Missionary Department. She also was a cook in the church and a helper with the vacation Bible school. Her favorite song was "I Promised the Lord I Would Hold Out." In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Handy Haith; a daughter, Daisy Barrett; and two grandchildren, Frances Burris Scott and Jason Lee Haith. She is by survived 11 daughters and eight sons-in-law, Betty Burris of Leipsic, Cynthia and Richard Moses, Shirley and Lucious Palmer and Suevilla Haith, all of Smyrna, Juliet and Louis Caldwell of Cheswold, Sylvia and Leon Brittingham, Lorraine and Ralph Brinkley, and Stephanie and Crosby Bull, all of Dover, Pamela and Raymond Williams, Attlay Pritchett and Nathaniel Bennett, all of Wyoming, and Frances Woods of Greensboro; four sons and two daughters-in-law, James Haith, Jerry Haith, Randolph and Eileen Haith, and Anthony and Debbie Haith, all of Dover; a sister, Catherine Murray of Greensboro; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and church family. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Mount Olive Pentecostal Church, Smyrna, where friends may call two hours earlier. Burial will be in Odd Fellows. Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Leroy Handy, 79 SEAFORD - Leroy Handy of Seaford died of heart failure Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford. He was 79. Mr. Handy was born April 12, 1923, in Seaford. He was a retired custodian for the Seaford School District. Mr. Handy was a member of the Refugee Temple Revival Center. He is survived by his wife, Sarah F. Handy of Seaford; two daughters and a son-in-law, Dorene Bumpass of Dover and Crystal and Johny Dickerson of Salisbury, Md.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Helen Powell of New Castle and Mildred Collins of Camp Spring, Md.; two sisters-in- law, Cora Downing of Seaford and Hattie Thomas of Georgia; three brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law, Charles and Mary Downing of Brockton, Mass., and Roy Downing and Floyd Downing, both of Roxbury, Mass.; an aunt, Bernice Handy of Salisbury; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at the Refugee Temple, Seaford, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Cemetery. Arrangements by Young's Funeral Home, Milford. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Marie Kellam, 75 SEAFORD - Marie Kellam of Seaford died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003, at Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital. She was 75. Ms. Kellam was born June 21, 1927, in Onancock, Va., daughter of the late Alfred and Amanda Stewart Kellam. She had worked at Townsend Poultry. She enjoyed crocheting, cooking and watching television movies. Ms. Kellam was a past member of St. Matthews First Baptist Church, Laurel. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Cherrie Kellam Allen Bolden and Sylvia Johnson; three sisters, Henrietta West, Mary "Mae" Brown and Priscilla Conquest; and a brother, Sam Henry "Sammy" Kellam. She is survived by four children, Chauncey Kellam of Lincoln, Florence M. Stanley and Rosalee Johnson, both of Laurel, and Betty Kellam of Bridgeville; 22 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Framptom-Hawkins-Eskow Funeral Home PA, Federalsburg, Md. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Matthews First Baptist Church, Laurel, where friends may also call two hours earlier. The Rev. Carol S. Hopkins will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Dorothy May Lindsay, 86 QUAKER NECK, Md. - Dorothy May Lindsay of Quaker Neck died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, at Kent '&;' Queen Anne's Hospital, Chestertown. She was 86. Mrs. Lindsay was born in Quaker Neck, daughter of the late Sylester and Ann Saunders Lindsay. She was educated in a little one-room public-school house in Johnontown, across the road from her home. Mrs. Lindsay was employed as a domestic worker for several families in the Kent County area. At an early age, she joined Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Pomona, where she was a faithful member until her health failed. She was a member of the Usher Board, the Senior Choir, the Worship Committee and the United Methodist Women. She was in charge of the Christian Personhood and Kent '&;' Queen Anne's Hospital Auxiliary Unit 2. She cherished her close, loving relationship with her sisters, who were affectionately known as the Lindsay sisters. Her favorite hymn and Scripture passage was "Blessed Assurance" and Psalm 139. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Edward Harris Sr.; a son, Thomas Edward Harris Jr.; a daughter, Sylvia Harris Commodore; a sister, Eunice Lindsay Barrett; a brother, Donald L. Lindsay; a daughter-in-law, Shirley Brown Harris; and a son-in-law, Stanley Commodore. She is survived by two sons, Bernard and Richard Harris of Chestertown; three sisters, Gladys Gilbert, Louise Johnson and Vivian Isaaca, all of Chestertown; a brother, Thomas R. Lindsay of Cleveland, Ohio; a daughter-in-law, Barbara Harris of Easton; a brother-in-law, William Isaaca of Chestertown; a sister-in-law, Christine Lindsay of Cleveland; 11 grandchildren, including one, Rita Thomas Phillips, whom she raised; 19 great-grandchildren; and 10 great- great-grandchildren. Friends may call from 7 to 9 tonight at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Pomona. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at the church, where friends may call two hours earlier. The Rev. Gonazlee Matthew will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Arrangements by Walley Funeral Service, Chestertown. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Glenn Albert Mitchell, 81 GEORGETOWN - Glenn Albert Mitchell of Georgetown died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. He was 81. Mr. Mitchell was born in Georgetown, son of the late Peter and Ida Mae (Messick) Mitchell. He was a truck driver for Layton and Layton, Georgetown, for 17 years, and retired from Draper King Cole, Milton. He also was co-owner of Naomi's Market, Georgetown, until 1991. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II. Mr. Mitchell was a member of the Georgetown American Legion. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Mitchell. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Naomi Pettyjohn Mitchell; two sons, Wayne Sr. and Linden P. Mitchell, both of Georgetown; a daughter, Glenda Kay Mitchell of Georgetown; two grandchildren, Wayne Mitchell Jr. and Theresa Mitchell; and a great-granddaughter, Cathy Mitchell Smith. Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market St., Georgetown, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Georgetown. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Easter Seals, 600 N. DuPont Highway, Suite 100, Georgetown, DE 19947. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Karryl Joye Moore, 72 DOVER - Karryl Joye Moore of Dover died of pneumonia Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2003, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 72. Mrs. Moore was born Jan. 6, 1931, in Hampton, Va., daughter of the late David and Mabel Henry. She received her early education at Salisbury (Md.) Elementary and High School. Following high school, she attended Hampton Institute. She graduated from Morgan State College, Baltimore, with a degree in chemistry and biology. She later continued her education at Delaware State College and became a teacher in the Delaware public-school system. She traveled extensively with her family and taught school in Japan and Turkey. Mrs. Moore joined the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority while attending Morgan and became a charter member in the graduate chapter of the sorority in Wilmington. She is survived by her son, Charlie W. Moore Jr. of Philadelphia; a sister and brother-in-law, Annette H. and Clifton Hubbard; two nieces and their husbands, Mable H. and Charles Blackmon of Greensboro, N.C., and Karryl H. and Alex McManus of Bear; a great-niece, Chloe A. Blackmon of Greensboro; two aunts, Clara Henry and Isabella Henry, both of Philadelphia; and three cousins, Eunice Hardy of Berlin, Md., and Molly Fields and Diane Henry, both of Philadelphia. Services will be noon Saturday at Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Sharon Hills, Dover. --------------------------------------------------------------- * William Calvin Richmond, 65 DOVER - William Calvin Richmond of Dover died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 65. Mr. Richmond was born June 8, 1937, in Covington, Va., daughter of the late Amos C. Richmond and Mabel Viola Davis Richmond. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He retired in 1978 after 23 years of active duty and 15 years of civil service. Mr. Richmond enjoyed bowling and NASCAR. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Renate Keim Richmond of Dover; three daughters and sons-in-law, Evelyn and Thom McFarland of Ashland, Ky., Katherine and Mark Homewood, and Natalie and Glen Miller, all of Dover; a brother, Samuel P. Richmond of Hot Springs, Va.; a sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Scott Dee of Georgia; a nephew, Kevin Lilly of Georgia; three grandchildren; and a stepgrandson. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Torbert Funeral Chapel, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover. Services and burial will be 11 a.m. Monday in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear. Letters of condolences written at www.delmarvaobits.com/torbert. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Mary Lee Rickards, 71 GEORGETOWN - Mary Lee Rickards of Georgetown and formerly of Elizabeth City, N.C., died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. She was 71. Mrs. Rickards was born in Elizabeth City, daughter of the late James and Pattie Lamb Gilbert. She was a homemaker. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Clarence Rickards Sr.; five sons, Willie Lee Rickards of Springfield, Mo., Clarence Rickards Jr. of Georgetown, John W. Rickards of Lincoln, William T. Rickards of Harbeson and Daniel Rickards of Milford; a daughter, Pattie Hamilton of Georgetown; a sister, Dollie Oberman of Williamston, N.C.; and seven grandchildren. Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call two hours earlier. The Rev. Robert A. Hudson will officiate. Burial will be in Millsboro Cemetery. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Eunice S. Royce, 87 REHOBOTH BEACH - Eunice S. Royce of Rehoboth Beach died, following a long illness, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, at Christiana Care Medical Center, Newark. She was 87. Mrs. Royce made a career as a loving wife and mother, while working alongside her husband in the businesses they owned, Royce's Restaurant, a Montgomery Ward franchise and Royce's Mini Mall. She retired in 2002. She was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Charles D. Royce; her parents, John and Hattie Stockley; a sister, Margaret Stockley; and a granddaughter, Gail Ann Melson. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Joy R. and Rancel Evans Sr. and Gail R. and Randy Sturdavant; five grandchildren, Marsha Medford, Dorinda Jones, Kimberly Melson, Rancel Evans Jr. and Renee Sturdavant; a brother, William Stockley; three great-grandsons; and three loving nieces. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck Road. Services will be 1 p.m. Monday at the chapel. Burial will be in Epworth United Methodist Cemetery, Rehoboth Beach. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Rachel Margaret Taylor, 81 DOVER - Rachel Margaret Taylor of Dover died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 81. Mrs. Taylor was born June 13, 1921, in Philadelphia, daughter of the late John Samuel and Nora Mae Smith Taylor. She moved to Dover from Maryland in 1968. She was a geriatric nurse's aide and retired in the early 1980s after 15 years of service. Mrs. Taylor was a Methodist and enjoyed Irish music, reading (especially Zane Grey), painting portraits and poetry. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Nelson Davis; two brothers, Joseph and John Taylor; and three sisters, Ruth Taylor, Elma Kramer and Mabel Fedderoff. She is survived by a son, James Davis of Dover; four daughters, Margaret McClain of Oklahoma, Nancy Blanc of Baltimore, and Lois Corey and Betty Chapman, both of Crookston, Minn.; a brother, William Taylor of Albuquerque, N.M.; two sisters, Edith Callahan of Dover and Helen Cannon of Chestertown, Md.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Monday in Church Hill (Md.) Cemetery. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Torbert Funeral Chapels, Dover. Letters of condolence may be written at www.delmarvaobits.com/torbert. ---------------------------------------------------------------