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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 ************************************************************************** * Ruth Travis W. Bryan, 94 REHOBOTH BEACH - Ruth Travis W. Bryan of Rehoboth Beach died Friday, June 20, 2003, in Green Valley Terrace Nursing Home, Millsboro. She was 94. Mrs. Bryan was born in Harrington, daughter of the late Nolan and Rosalie Travis. She lived in Rehoboth Beach for 79 years. She was a restaurant worker, and during World War II she worked in the munitions factory in Milford. She then worked in the Rehoboth Beach school cafeteria for 15 years. She also worked in Arizona, where she and her husband spent their winters. After retirement at age 65, she worked at the National Variety Store in Rehoboth Beach until she was 79. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Charles A. Bryan; a daughter and son-in-law, Evelyn W. and Harvey Roberts of Ocean View; a brother, James W. Travis of Rehoboth Beach; a sister, Dorothy Travis Short of Rehoboth Beach; four granddaughters and their spouses, Deborah R. and Walter Skovron of Pasadena, Md., Terry R. Witham of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, Ruthanne R. and Dennis Jacobs of Ocean View and Mary T. Oaconi of Baltimore; and eight grandchildren, Kate, Joseph, Shauna, Erin, Stephen, Ben, Christina and Afsoon. A celebration of her life will be noon Saturday in the Bethany chapel of Melson Funeral Services, West Avenue, Ocean View. Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Compassionate Care Hospice, 5610 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19808. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Gloria Jean Bryant, 69 TOWNSEND - Gloria Jean Bryant of Townsend died Thursday, June 19, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. She was 69. Ms. Bryant was born July 16, 1933, in Dover, daughter of the late Rev. Lace Bryant and Elsie Mae Wing Bryant. She received her childhood education in Townsend Elementary School. She loved singing and playing her harmonica. One of her favorite songs was "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." Her hobbies were taking pictures and working with yarn. She also enjoyed collecting photo albums and playing drums and tambourines. Ms. Bryant joined Mount Calvary Baptist Church at an early age under the leadership of the Rev. Richard L. Lampkins. She was a member for many years. Later in her Christian walk, she joined Little Mount Olive Pentecostal Church under the pastorship of Bishop Josephine Jones. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, David and Phillip Bryant; and a sister, Mable Anderson. She is survived by a sister, Helena Wooders of Brooklyn, N.Y.; two brothers, Marcellus A. Bryant Sr. of Townsend and Arblee Allison Bryant of Aiken, S.C.; a sister-in-law, the Rev. Imogene Bryant; an aunt, Anna Perry; a favorite cousin, Ina Saunders; three devoted friends, Joan Mitchell, Bettye Bellamy and Pauline Evans; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Services will be noon Wednesday in Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Middletown, where friends may call two hours earlier. Burial will be in Lee-Heaven Cemetery, Townsend. Arrangements by Minus Funeral Home, Dover. --------------------------------------------------------------- * The Rev. Dr. Kenny R. Farrare, 66 PHILADELPHIA - The Rev. Dr. Kenny R. Farrare of Philadelphia died, after a long illness, Thursday, June 12, 2003, in St. Agnes Hospital, Philadelphia. He was 66. Dr. Farrare was a scholar and teacher of theology. He received his doctorate of sacred theology from the United Christian College, Brooklyn, N.Y. He was employed with the Du Pont Co. at the Edgemoor Plant, Wilmington, Del., as a consultant in reliability/maintenance engineering, retiring after 25 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenny and Laura Farrare; a brother, Louis Farrare; and a daughter, Sheree Butler. He is survived by four sons, Kirk Farrare of Frederickburg, Va., John Farrare of Princess Anne, Md., and Ricky Farrare and Shawn Elam, both of Wilmington; five daughters, Sharmaine Farrare of Philadelphia, Wenona Farrare of Salisbury, Md., Lauretta Nichols of Greenwood, Del., Joann Todd of Cambridge, Md., and Shanon Andrews of Newark, Del.; four sons-in-law, the Rev. Fontane Nichols, Darnell Todd, the Rev. Craig Butler and Kenneth Andrews Jr.; a daughter-in-law, the Rev. Sandra Elam; 25 grandchildren, one of whom he raised, Airman Terrence Farrare of Washington, D.C.; three great-grandchildren; a devoted friend, Virginia Whitaker of Wilmington; and a host of other family and friends. Services were held Saturday. Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover, Del. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Raymond Hall, 87 LAUREL - Raymond Hall of Laurel died of heart failure Saturday, June 21, 2003, in his home. He was 87. Mr. Hall was born in Millsboro, son of the late Elijah and Emma Mitchell Hall. He was an U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a self-employed house painter for more than 50 years. Mr. Hall was a member of Mount Zion United Methodist Church, Laurel, the Exchange Club, Laurel, and American Legion Post 19, Laurel. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Mae Conaway Hall, in December 2000. He is survived by two brothers-in-law, Harold J. Conaway and Miles A. Conaway, both of Laurel; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in Watson-Yates Funeral Home, Front and King streets, Seaford, where friends may call one hour earlier. The Rev. Richard Walton and Rev. Robert D. Robinson will officiate. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Laurel. ---- ----------------------------------------------------------- * Serenity Nevaeh Johnson, infant ELLENDALE - Serenity Nevaeh Johnson of Ellendale died Thursday, June 19, 2003, in Ellendale. She was an infant. Serenity was born June 2, 2003, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, daughter of Shirley Smith of Ellendale and Raymond Johnson Jr. of Lincoln. She is survived by two brothers, Shymiere Howell of Lewes and Diamontae Smith of Ellendale; three sisters, Ayara Smith and Anayah Johnson of Ellendale and Jaynesha Johnson of Williamsville; a brother, Rayshawn Lewes of Greenwood; her maternal grandparents, Lola Smith of Chicago and Curtis and Martha Sample of Ellendale; her paternal grandparents, Raymond and Kimberly Johnson of Lincoln and Mabel Jones of Milton; and a host of aunts and uncles. Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday in Young's Funeral Home, 309 North St., Milford, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Old Hickory Cemetery, Slaughter Neck. ----- ---------------------------------------------------------- * Frances L. Kellum, 65 CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Frances L. Kellum of Chestertown died Friday, June 20, 2003, in Kent and Queen Anne's Hospital in Chestertown. She was 65. Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Janes United Methodist Church in Chestertown, where friends may call two hours earlier. The Rev. G. Matthew will officiate. Burial will be in Janes U.M. Cemetery. Arrangements by Walley Funeral Service, Chestertown. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Barbara Jean Edwards Langford, 63 SEAFORD - Barbara Jean Edwards Langford of Seaford died of complications of cancer Saturday, June 21, 2003, in her home. She was 63. Mrs. Langford was born in Felton, daughter of the late Carroll and Margaret "Christine" Dill Edwards. She was a graduate of Harrington High School, class of 1957, and attended the University of Delaware. Mrs. Langford was an owner/operator of Seaford Auto Parts (NAPA) for 30 years. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, enjoying much of her time with family and friends. She was an avid beach-goer. She loved shopping, going to auctions and antiquing. She also enjoyed vacationing in the Cayman Islands. Mrs. Langford was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church and the Seaford Block Watch. She was preceded in death by her husband, Emerson Wix Langford, in August 2002. She is survived by two daughters and two sons-in-law, Lisa C. and Clarke Tobin of Seaford and Linda J. and Gary Kessinger of Bishopville, Md.; three granddaughters, Christie Tobin, Julia Tobin and Sara Kessinger; two grandsons, Clarke Tobin and Andrew Mercier; two step-grandsons, Chris Kessinger and Corey Kessinger; a sister and brother-in-law, Fay and Jack Bradley of Andrewsville; and a sister-in-law, Lois "Dink" Langford of Harrington. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Sunday in St. John's United Methodist Church, Pine and Poplar streets, Seaford, where friends may call one hour earlier. The Rev. Richard E. Evans will officiate. Burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington. Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the St. John's United Methodist Church, Pine and Poplar streets, Seaford, DE 19973; or to the American Cancer Society, Mid-Atlantic Division, 1138 Parsons Road, Salisbury, MD 21801. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Marcella Blaner Lockard, 90 REHOBOTH BEACH - Marcella Blaner Lockard of Rehoboth Beach died of respiratory failure Sunday, June 22, 2003, in Midlothian, Va. She was 90. Mrs. Lockard was born in McKees Rocks, Pa., daughter of the late Andrew H. and Anna C. Blaner. She taught second grade at Lewes Elementary School from September 1954 to June 1977. Her teaching career spanned more than 45 years, beginning at age 19 in a one-room school home. She was preceded in death by her third husband, Bert S. Lockard, in 1989. She is survived by two sons, G. Thomas Knight of Ellicott City, Md., and J. Terry Emerson of Chesterfield, Va., five grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren. Burial will be private. --------------------------------------------------------------- * George W. Loper Jr., 47 DOVER - George W. Loper Jr. of Dover died Wednesday, June 18, 2003, in Dover. He was 47. Mr. Loper was born May 30, 1956, son of George W. Loper Sr. of Camden and Ardessa L. Candelairo of Dover. He received his education at Caesar Rodney High School, Camden. Mr. Loper enjoyed racing cars at Delmar racetrack, training dogs, having summer cookouts and spending time with his family and friends. In addition to his parents, he is survived by five brothers, Donald Loper, James Loper and Carlos Loper, all of Dover, Michael Loper of New Castle and Daniel Bell of Georgetown; two sisters, Pasqulita Candelairo of Dover and Joann Tilghman of Felton; five daughters, Tamika L. Brinkley, Shantae L. Adkins, Cherita D. Adkins, Latoya E.T. Adkins and Thaimesha D. Adkins, all of Dover; three sons, George T. Brokenbrough of Wilmington and Jermaine D. Brinkley and George W. Brinkley, both of Dover; two sisters-in-law, Lorraine Loper and Sarah Loper, both of Dover; three grandchildren, Kamiah A.J. Adkins, Khahiem N. Lewis and Jhakir T.N. Brinkley, all of Dover; a devoted friend and mother of three of his children, Fredia E. Brinkley of Dover; a loving companion, Barbara A. Peterson of Dover; a best friend, Thomas "Sarge" Price of Dover; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Services will be noon Saturday in Greater Life Christian Church, Star Hill, where friends may call two hours earlier. Burial will be in Whatcoat Cemetery, Dover. Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Emilia R. Monteiro, 69 DOVER - Emilia R. Monteiro of Dover died Sunday, June 22, 2003, in her home with family by her side. She was 69. Mrs. Monteiro was born Oct. 1, 1933, in North Merrick, Long Island, N.Y., daughter of the late Joseph and Esolina Clement. She worked for Times Square Stores on Long Island for 22 years as a cashier coordinator. Her pastimes were family card games, bingo and trips to Atlantic City casinos. She loved spending time with her family, grandsons and great- granddaughter. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Luis M. Monteiro of Dover; three daughters, Loretta of Long Island and Deborah and Michele, both of Dover; a brother, John Clement of Bellview, Fla.; a sister, Valentina Foster of Dover; seven grandchildren, Dominick, Luis, Anthony, Phillip, Oswaldo, Noel and Miguel; and a great-grandchild, Emilia Savannah. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today in Trader Funeral Home in Dover. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Holy Cross Catholic Church, Dover. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Dover. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Raymond C. Peters Jr., 62 CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. - Raymond C. Peters Jr. of Chincoteague, and formerly of Laurel, Del., died of natural causes Saturday, June 21, 2003, in his home. He was 62. Mr. Peters was the son of the late Raymond C. Peters Sr. and Pansy Isdell Peters. He retired from the Seaford, Del., Du Pont plant in 1998 after 33 years of service. Mr. Peters was a member of the Sons of the American Legion, Post 159, Chincoteague. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Peters; two brothers and a sister-in- law, Larry and Elsie Peters and Benny Peters; two sisters and two brothers-in- law, Gail Peters Parker and David Parker and Paulette and Gene Bowden; three children, Teresa Peters, Raymond Peters III and Lisa Peters; three stepchildren, Sherry Hearn, Melissa Dupre and Sandy Vincent; 12 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in Fox and Holston Funeral Home, Chincoteague. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Norma Jean Legates Ramirez, 38 HOUSTON - Norma Jean Legates Ramirez of Houston died Sunday, June 22, 2003, in her home. She was 38. Mrs. Ramirez worked at Jacobson's Department Store in Orlando, Fla., for seven years, returning to Delaware two months ago to be with her family. She was preceded in death by her father, Norman Nelson Legates, in 1977; and her grandmother, Irene Gleason, in 2000. She is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Cain Ramirez of Houston; two daughters, Barbara Jean Legates of Houston and Crystal Priggle of Dover; a son, Christopher Priggle of Dover; a brother, Robert N. Legates of Milford; her grandfather, John Gleason of Harrington; her grandmother, Lottie Green of Felton; an aunt, Shirley Maloney of Magnolia; and her husband, Patrick Ramirez. Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Berry Short Funeral Home, Main Street, Felton, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Margie Schulze, 57 MILTON - Margie Schulze of Milton died Sunday, June 22, 2003, in Christiana Hospital of Christiana Care, Newark. She was 57. Ms. Schulze was born in Olyphant, Pa., daughter of the late Mary Silver Blasik. She was a secretary for Dunn and Bradstreet in New York for 30 years, retiring in 1991. She enjoyed cooking and exercising. Ms. Schulze was a lifetime member of Weight Watchers. She is survived by a stepdaughter and stepson-in-law, Dara and Frankie Iroi of Queens, N.Y.; an uncle, John T. Loftus of Olyphant; four cousins, Sandy Watson of Moscow, Pa., Kathy O'Mally of Dunmore, Pa., John T. Loftus Jr. of Townsend and Mary Beth Osborne of Harrisburg, Pa.; and 12 nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. today in Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market St., Georgetown. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21803-0163. --------------------------------------------------------------- * George L. Slacum Sr., 89 BRIDGEVILLE - George L. Slacum Sr. of Bridgeville died Sunday, June 22, 2003, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford. He was 89. Mr. Slacum was born May 31, 1914, in Cambridge, Md., son of the late Mamie M. Bullock and George W. Slacum. He worked as a plumber in the Cambridge area for several years, and for 22 years was grounds supervisor for the Woodbridge School District, before retiring in 1979. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Elizabeth Steen and Thelma Willey; two brothers, Ralph Slacum and Edward Slacum; and a daughter, Kay Slacum Booth. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Dorothy L. Slacum; two sons and two daughters-in-law, George L. Slacum Jr. and Judy Slacum of Georgetown and Robert C. and Linda Slacum of Seaford; a stepdaughter and stepson-in-law, June and John Shockley of Bridgeville; a stepson and stepdaughter-in-law, Gary and Lee Johnson of Seaford; nine grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; two half-sisters, Delores Reed of Greenwood and Betty Holmes of Bear; an aunt, Lillian Baird; and several nieces. Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, 202 Laws St., Bridgeville. Burial will be in Bridgeville Cemetery, Bridgeville. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Bridgeville Fire Co. Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 727, Bridgeville, DE 19933. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Bernard Milton Smith, 87 DOVER - Bernard Milton Smith of Dover died Wednesday, June 18, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 87. Mr. Smith was born March 15, 1916, in Philadelphia, son of the late Reba Marie Smith Atkins. In his youth he lived in Dover, where he attended public school and worked until enlisting in the U.S. Army. Mr. Smith served in World War II and was stationed overseas in China and Germany, as well as in the United States. It was while stationed at Fort Lee, Va., that he met and married Maria Branch, then of Amelia, Va. The Smiths made their home in Dover. After retiring from the armed forces, he worked as a civilian at Dover Air Force Base. Mr. Smith enjoyed fishing, gardening, music, televised car races and electronics. He took pride in his lawn and shrubs, delighted in harvesting the vegetables and fruits to stock his freezer and generously shared with family, friends and neighbors. Several times each year, he would go on fishing trips with his friends, and had an ongoing competition with them and his wife to see whose catch would be the biggest. "Blue Beetle" was the "handle" he used among his CB friends, and he had quite a reputation among them for his knowledge of the equipment. His first love was his mother, to whom he was loyal, and kept his promise to build her a house. When he met his wife, he found room in his heart to love her just as faithfully. He supported her hobbies and profession, encouraged her interests and dreams and sponsored many of her adventures, because she loved to travel, but he had had enough while in the service. During their marriage of almost 50 years, they were truly devoted to each other for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health. He longed for his beloved wife - now, they are reunited. In addition to his mother and wife, he was preceded in death by his only brother, John Harold "Static" Smith; two sisters, Marie Elizabeth Guy and Hazel Elsie Atkins; a sister-in-law, Virginia Ida Smith; and a nephew, Harold Carlton Smith. He is survived by two nieces and the husband of one, Reba Bernice "Niecey" Johns and Ida Virginia Slade and Alex Slade; two nephews and the wife of one, William Henry "Billy" Smith and Sharon Smith and John Bernard "Jackie" Smith; five grand-nieces, Gayle Marietta Atkins, Shelly Smith Johnson, Shawne Smith, Debra Lynn Smith and Quinna Marque Smith; four grandnephews, Charles Wesley "Terry" Atkins, George Thomas "Coochy" Atkins, John Thomas Smith and John Bernard Smith Jr.; several great-grand-nieces and great-grand-nephews; in-laws Maxwell Branch, Ethel and Maceo Jones, Shuefeldt Dobson, Mary Ann Hawkes and Lillie Mae Branch; a number of nieces and nephews and cousins through marriage; a friend, Hazel Bell; a devoted neighbor, Raymond Martin; and others in Dover and the West Dover Heights community. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. today in Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Dover. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Jeanette M. VanCleaf, 84 SMYRNA - Jeanette M. VanCleaf of Smyrna, formerly of Long Neck, near Millsboro, died Friday, June 20, 2003, in Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna. She was 84. Mrs. VanCleaf was born in Rutland, Vt., daughter of the late Moses L. and Charity M. Bushey. She was an insurance accountant for many years for the John G. Rolker Co. in Baltimore. Mrs. VanCleaf was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Millsboro and the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Robert E. VanCleaf, a retired Methodist minister who died in 1986. She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Harry L. and Barbara E. VanCleaf of Baltimore and Robert E. VanCleaf of Texas; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Mark's Episcopal Church, State Street, Millsboro. Burial will be in Millsboro Cemetery, Millsboro. Arrangements by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Walter G. Ward, 75 DAGSBORO - Walter G. Ward of Dagsboro and Bethany Beach, formerly of Washington, D.C., died Friday, June 20, 2003, in Gnadan Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton, Pa. He was 75. Mr. Ward served in the U.S. Army following World War II. He was a retired vice president of Perpetual Savings Association in Washington after 35 years of service. He moved to Bethany Beach and served on the Town Council. Mr. Ward was a former member of the Exchange Club of Silver Spring and the Cosmopolitan Club of Bethesda, Md. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, the former Mary Ashby Hoak; two daughters, Laura Nicholson and Mararet Haas; a sister, Elizabeth Vance; and three grandchildren. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Thursday in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery South, Millsboro. Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Stoney Man Parish, Luray, VA 22835. Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services, Ocean View. ---------------------------------------------------------------