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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 ************************************************************************** * I. Thomas Baker Jr., 94 ELLENDALE - I. Thomas Baker Jr. of Ellendale died surrounded by his loving family Tuesday, March, 18, 2003, in his home. He was 94. Mr. Baker was born in Ellendale, son of the late Isaiah Thomas Baker Sr. and Della (Welch) Baker. He worked as a bookkeeper for Vinyard Shipbuilding Co. for 33 1/2 years. He loved playing the violin and piano. Mr. Baker was a member and past trustee of Ellendale U. M. Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Grace Baker Chambers. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Frances (Betts) Baker; a son and daughter-in-law, I. Thomas III and Lana (Pittard) Baker of Georgetown; and a grandson, I. Thomas Baker IV and his wife Rebecca of Willards, Md. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 418 Federal St., Milton, where friends may call one hour earlier. The Rev. Kevin Gillespie will officiate. Burial will be in Ellendale Cemetery. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Percell Black, 89 CAMDEN - Percell Black of Camden died of natural causes Thursday, March 13, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 89. Mr. Black was born in Ridgely, Md., son of the late John and Clara Black. For many years he settled in Camden. He farmed until his health began to fail. Mr. Black loved his wife, daughter and grandchildren. They were the lights of his life. His life long joy was farming. He is survived by his wife, Reba Bordley Black; a daughter and son-in-law, Mary L. and Elder William L. "Pie" Parker of Harrington; a sister, Gertrude Black Johnson of Ridgely, Md.; six grandchildren, Leroy Jr., Wanda Parker, Maranda Alston, Marvin Parker, Maurice Parker and Micah Parker; and a host of other relatives and friends. Services will be noon Friday in the Mt. Carmel SDA Church, Harrington, where friends may call two hours earlier. Burial will be in the Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Del. 8, Dover. Arrangements by Deborah E. Harris-Nock Funeral Services, Greenwood. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Chalmers 'Uncle Charlie' Bragdon, 75 CAMDEN - Chalmers "Uncle Charlie" Bragdon of Camden died Sunday, March 16, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 75. Mr. Bragdon was born Oct. 31, 1927 in Tampa, Fla., son of Pearl Bragdon White of Star Hill and the late Chalmers Bragdon Sr. He was affectionately called "Uncle Charlie." He was a merchant seaman for 45 years. During those years, he sailed all over the world. During World War II, he sailed from the United States to Muranski, Russia several times. During the Vietnam War, he also sailed from the United States to Saigon, Vietnam delivering supplies. He graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. He also graduated from King's Point Merchant Marine Academy in New York. He attended and completed advance studies at Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies. He advanced from an ablebodied seaman to ship master. Mr. Bragdon enjoyed gardening and teaching tae-kwon-do to the children in the neighborhood. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a son, Charles Jones; and a brother, Richard "Lefty" Bragdon. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Lavonda Davis Bragdon of Virginia Beach, Va.; a brother, Robert Jones of Star Hill; an adopted daughter, Joyce Burris and her husband, Charles of Camden; two grandchildren, Joy and Jessica Burris of Camden; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Friends may call from 7 to 9 tonight in Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday in the funeral home, where friends may call one hour earlier. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Ronald James Cosco, 61 CAMDEN - Ronald James Cosco of Camden died Tuesday, March 18, 2003, in his home. He was 61. Mr. Cosco was born March 28, 1941, in Chicago, son of the late Simon Salvatore and Clara Gertrude (Nowak) Cosco. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a senior master sergeant after 26 years of service. He worked for the U.S. Post Office until retirement. Mr. Cosco was a member of the Air Force Security Police Association, the Harrington Moose Lodge, American Legion Walter L. Fox Post 2, Veterans of Foreign Wars 3238 in Camden where he was past commander and the VFW Cooties. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Gene Cosco. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Price Cosco; a son and daughter-in-law, James and Linda Cosco of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two daughters and a son-in- law, Julie and Frank Deputy of Camden and Sherry Munroe of Dover; two grandsons, Keith Cosco and Kevin Cosco, both of Colorado Springs; a brother and sister-in- law, Glen and Peggy Cosco of Jenison, Mich.; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Genevieve and Jack Shiro, Rosemary Robetille and Loretta Stream all of Chicago. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 East Lebanon Road, Dover. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday in the chapel. Burial will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 1 in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to VFW Post 3238, Box 355, Camden, DE 19934. Letters of condolence may be made at www.delmarvaobits.com/torbert. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Nelly G. Dawson, 68 MAGNOLIA - Nelly G. Dawson of Magnolia died Tuesday, March 18, 2003, in her daughter's home in Woodside. She was 68. Mrs. Dawson was born April 30, 1934, in Mt. Ephraim, N.J., daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Hollis) Gray. She was a homemaker enjoyed spending time with her family. She also enjoyed bingo. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph Gray and Conwell Gray; and a son, Charles W. Felty. She is survived by her husband, Victor Dawson of Magnolia; two daughters and sons-in-law, Deborah Felty and Clarence Vigil of Orlando, Fla., and Tammy Felty and Melvin St. Clair of Woodside; a brother, Hollis Gray of Hartly; two sisters, Pauline Gryskiewicz of Milford, Conn. and Sally McCall of Canterbury; a grandson and his wife, Anthony N. and Sherri Garner of Orlando, Fla.; a granddaughter and her partner, KiKi L. Dias and Daphne L. Miller of Clayton; three great- grandchildren, Skyler and Raevyn Horton of Clayton and Ashtin N. Garner of Florida; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Trader Funeral Home, Dover. Remembrance services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Burial will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice, 911 Lotus Plaza, Dover, DE 19901. Letters of condolence may be made at www.delmarvaobits.com or sent to traderfh@aol.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * James Albert Flamer, 76 HOUSTON - James Albert Flamer of Houston died Thursday, March 13, 2003, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital. He was 76. Mr. Flamer was born Aug. 14, 1926 in Viola, son of the late Abirita Flamer and James Brown. He enjoyed listening to rhythm and blues. His favorite artist was B.B. King. He also enjoyed watching boxing. His favorite boxer was Sugar Ray Robinson. He is survived by his wife, Nancy J. Flamer; a son, Carmine J.A. Flamer of Houston; a sister and brother-in-law, Grace and Wilbur Chase of Dover; a niece; a nephew; and numerous great nieces and great nephews. Services and burial will be private. Arrangements by Chandler Funeral Home. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Raymond R. Jarvis, 53 LONG NECK - Raymond R. Jarvis of Long Neck died due to a brain aneurysm Saturday, March 15, 2003, in Christiana Hospital of Christiana Care, Newark. He was 53. Mr. Jarvis was born in Sinepuxent, Md., son of the late Zed and Katherine Jarvis. He was a carpenter and resided with one of his sisters. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters. He is survived by five sisters; six brothers; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial services will be 1 p.m. today in the Dagsboro Volunteer Fire Co station. Burial will be private. Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Marilyn Denise Massey Johnson, 45 BRIDGEVILLE - Marilyn Denise Massey Johnson of Bridgeville died of heart failure Monday, March 17, 2003, in Harbor HealthCare Center, Lewes. She was 45. Mrs. Johnson was born in Milford, daughter of Enos David Massey Sr. and Martha Mae Cannon Massey of Bridgeville. She was a licensed child care provider in her home prior to her illness. She had a great love for her children, grandchildren, mother, father, brothers, sisters and other relatives and friends. Mrs. Johnson was a member of Victory Temple Church and Believers' Faith, Healing and Deliverance Church, Blades. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence and Charles Camon; and a sister, Gloria LeGram. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Prezannie Johnson of Bridgeville; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Richard Massey Sr. and Latana Kane and Adam Young, all of Bridgeville; four daughters and two sons-in- law, Charhonda and John Young Sr., Angelia and La'Tyon Stones and Stacey Thompson, all of Bridgeville and Deleshia Thompson of Laurel; two stepsons, Lafayette Wise of Wilmington and Prezannie Conquest of Millsboro; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Maurice and Ollie Cannon of Dover, Enos Jr. and Lavonne Massey and Edward and Terry Massey, all of Bridgeville; seven sisters and brothers-in-law, Rosalie and William Murphy, Catherine and Herman Ross, Freda Massey, Nereida Wright, Mary Jeanette and King Winstead, all of Bridgeville, Clarice and William Vessell of Seaford and Cairo Baldwin of Milford; 19 grandchildren, John Young Jr., Richana, Amamntay, Richard Jr., Rishawn, Jawuan, Jaquan, Lamontrae, Jaleah, Jordan, DaMaj, La'Tyron Jr., James Jr., JaMon, Aysa, Lataysa, Nikeem, Damaj and Tijer'e; and four godsons, Michael, Taishawn, Michael and Semeion. Services will be noon Saturday in the Refuge Temple Church, Stein Highway, Seaford, where friends may call two hours earlier. Bishop David Purnell will officiate. Burial will be in the Middleford Cemetery, Middleford. Arrangements by Deborah E. Harris-Nock Funeral Service, Greenwood. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Beatrice Littleton, 85 MILFORD - Beatrice Littleton of Milford died Monday, March 17, 2003, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital. She was 85. Mrs. Littleton was born in Virginia, daughter of the late Harry L. and Lurena Cook Howell. She worked for Milford Middle School for many years on the cafeteria staff, retiring in 1977. Mrs. Littleton enjoyed reading her Bible and spending time with family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Littleton; two sisters, and Blanche Clean and Martha Martin. She is survived by two sons and two daughters-in-law, Harry and Cindy Littleton and Ronnie and Lynda Littleton, all of Milford; four daughters and four sons-in-law, Elizabeth and Edgar Sapp and Lois and George Carpenter, all of Felton, Brenda and Michael Simmons of Camden and Janet and Dave King of Milford; three sisters, Grace Sodastrom and Eunice Strucko, both of Baltimore, and Mary Worth of Pasadena, Md.; 11 grandchildren and the respective spouses of two, Jerry Sapp, Sharon Hickman and Allen Hickman II, Trish Queen, Jeffery and Mary Carpenter, Shane Casper, Kathryn Simmons, Patricia King, Brian Helsdon, Todd Helsdon, Mallory Littleton and Chase Littleton; 10 great-grandchildren, Aaron Queen, Rodney Simmons, Bret Carpenter, Kacie Casper, Tara Gallagher, Andy Sapp, Wendy Hickman, Erica Hickman, Allen Hickman III and Benjamin Hickman; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today in Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 N.W. Front St., Milford. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milford. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Helen Marie Strannahan Rash, 81 EASTON, Md. - Helen Marie Strannahan Rash of Easton, formerly of Ridgely, died of natural causes Monday, March 17, 2003, in Memorial Hospital at Easton, Easton. She was 81. Mrs. Rash was born Sept. 1, 1921, in Greensboro, daughter of the late Enoch and Margaret Willoughby Strannahan. She was a graduate of Greensboro High School, class of 1939. She was a beautician and the owner of Fairfax Beauty Shop for 12 years in Wilmington, Del., where she lived for 40 years. Mrs. Rash was a member of the Greensboro Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Arthur "Art" Rash; a son, Buddy Rash of Bear, Del.; a daughter, Gloria Krause of Fort Meyers, Fla.; a brother, Howard Strannahan of Easton; two sisters, Elsie Lamey of Greensboro and Gertie Miller of Philadelphia; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in Fleegle-Helfenbein Funeral Home P.A., Greensboro. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Greensboro Baptist Church, Greensboro. Burial will be in Greensboro Cemetery, Greensboro. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Harmonson 'Taddy' Reynolds, 86 MIDDLETOWN - Harmonson "Taddy" Reynolds of Middletown died Tuesday, March 18, 2003, in his home. He was 86. Mr. Reynolds retired from White Brothers Inc. in Middletown after 25 years. He was active in MOT Little League and enjoyed horse racing, playing cards and driving his gray pickup truck around Middletown. His greatest joys were time spent watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. He was always their biggest fan. Mr. Reynolds was a life member of the Middletown Volunteer Hose Co. and the Middletown Moose Lodge 1295. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Hazel C. Reynolds; two daughters and a son-in-law, Nancy R. Hitch of Middletown and Margaret R. and Paul McNatt of Townsend; a son and daughter-in-law, James L. and Yvonne Reynolds of Middletown; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Florence and Joseph Voly of Elsmere and Anna Pearce of Cecilton, Md.; seven grandchildren, Edgar L. Hitch Jr., John R. Hitch, Judith H. Massey, Rebecca Ennis, Paul McNatt Jr., Matthew J. Reynolds and Tyler C. Reynolds; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday in Daniels and Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown. Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Volunteer Hose Co. of Middletown Ambulance Crew, 14 W. Green St., Middletown, DE 19709. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Judith S. Stachecki, 63 DOVER - Judith S. Stachecki of Dover died with her loving family at her side Tuesday, March 18, 2003, in her home. She was 63. Mrs. Stachecki was born June 11, 1939 in Dover, daughter of late Herbert and Mary Emily (Saxton) Hughes. She retired from Bayhealth Medical Center after 12 years of service. She is survived by her husband, Stanley J. Stachecki of Dover; two sons and their respective companions, Michael D. Cox and Anne Pullin, both of Millsboro, and Boatswain's Mate Stanley Stachecki III and Daniell Lashbrook, both of Elizabeth City, N.C.; two daughters and a son-in-law, Terry Schellinger of Smyrna and Kellye and Greg Dempsey of Dover; a brother and sister-in-law, Herbert E. Hughes Jr. and Nancy Hughes of Dover; a sister and brother-in-law, Georga Lee and Louis DeMarie of Ocean View; five grandchildren, Ashley Lynn Cox of Milton, U.S. Marine Pfc. Gregory Dempsey of Marine Base Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif., Amy Dempsey of Dover and Alex Cox and Rachel Cox, both of Smyrna; three step-grandsons, Conor Davis, Brian Davis and Brendan Davis, all of Millsboro; six nieces and nephews, Rebecca DeMarie, Louis DeMarie, Peter DeMarie, Mary Spivak, Patricia Williams and Meredith Greer; and special friends Debbie West and Carol Corbitt. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Dover Elks Lodge, Forrest Avenue, Dover, where a celebration of life serviceswill be at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements by Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus St., Dover. Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Kent County Cancer Society. Letters of condolences may be made at www.delmarvaobits.com or sent to traderfh@aol.com. --------------------------------------------------------------- * Rebecca Ellen Wood, 76 MARYDEL, Md. - Rebecca Ellen Wood of Marydel died of natural causes Tuesday, March 18, 2003, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover, Del. She was 76. Mrs. Wood was born Aug. 2, 1926, in Bridgetown, daughter of the late John and Mary Blunt Darling. She was a homemaker. She also owned and operated Hurlock Food Rite in Hurlock for several years with her husband. Mrs. Wood was a member of the Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7937 of Greensboro. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Wood III, in 1995. She is survived by two daughters, Sandra Cowgill and Dorothy Taylor-Snow, both of Marydel; a sister, Cornelia Mitchell of Dover, Del.; three grandchildren and the respective spouses of two, Karen and John Barr of Fort Riley, Kan., Sherry Taylor of Smyrna, Del., and Clark and Sheryl Cowgill of San Diego; five great-grandchildren, Kelsey Cowgill and Shannon Cowgill, both of San Diego, Kylie Taylor of Smyrna and Jeremy Barr and Brandon Barr, both of Fort Riley. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday in Fleegle-Helfenbein Funeral Home P.A., Greensboro. Services will be noon Sunday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Greensboro Cemetery, Greensboro. ---------------------------------------------------------------