Edward Marshall Chitty, 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep early in the morning of Monday, January 18, 2016. Born on May 15, 1930, and raised on Grandy Avenue in Norfolk, Ed was a lifelong resident of Tidewater. After extended health issues it was a moment all who loved him knew was coming, but we would never be ready for.

He came home from Mary Immaculate Hospital on the previous Saturday, to his wife of 63 years, Vi, and the house he had shared with her for the last 38 years. He left this life as he had lived it, on his terms, exactly where he wanted to be, in his home with the love of his life asleep in the bed beside his.

Ed worked tirelessly to provide for and support the family he loved; from his days as a young boy, helping his grandfather sell vegetables before school to manufacturing furniture.  When strokes made it impossible for him to continue working, as he was accustomed, Ed then began a new job. At the age of 78 he battled back from total paralysis on one side of his body to be able to walk with light assist. Even when his body continued to falter he still found the strength in his love of life and family to dance with his daughter and granddaughter at their weddings, with a little loving help.

Ed enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and served as a radio operator in Japan during the Korean War, but didn't ship out before marrying the love of his life, Viola Meeks on May 22, 1951. He and Vi met in high school, and despite an "interesting" first date, that made for a pretty funny story years later, they fell in love. The rest, as they say, is history. She was, and remained until the moment he died, his whole world, the most beautiful woman alive, his heart, his hope, and his reason for living. In a world that often treats people as disposable and love as fleeting, they were each other's everything, as much so on the day they wed as on the day he passed 63 years later.

In 1955, just prior to completing his enlistment they were blessed with their first child, his namesake and they resettled back in Norfolk.  It was the beginning of a growing family that was his pride and joy and to whom he consistently gave all of himself, in every way, no matter what challenge faced them. He was and remains their heart and strength.

By the late 60's, much to everyone's surprise his family expanded again, with a baby girl. Shortly after, Ed moved into furniture sales, little did everyone know that it would change the course of his life.

Ed was a people person. He never met a stranger, always had a smile, a joke and if needed a helping hand. Not surprisingly he excelled and supported his growing family as a salesman, making a name for himself with Sears Roebuck, American Express Money Orders, then at Wickes Furniture where he was sales manager at their Charlotte, NC store.

He was an entrepreneur. By 1977, after years in the furniture business Ed and Vi took everything they had and gambled, opening a little 1,500 sq. ft. store, Ed's Beds, in New Market South Shopping Center in Hampton. They moved to the Peninsula shortly thereafter and remained there in the same home in Riverdale until his passing. Over the years the store grew and expanded into Ed's Beds and Furniture, with stores in Hampton and Gloucester. Mr. Ed and Ms. Vi made it a family affair. Customers knew them by name, and more than once their kids saw them make a special "deal" for someone who couldn't quite afford the bed or furniture that they really needed.

Challenging economic times brought challenges, the business eventually closed its doors, but true to form, Ed picked himself up and started over in the furniture manufacturing business, which he worked in until his stroke.

Over the years Ed and Vi raised two children and then, with their son, raised two grandchildren. He spent his golden years, with his wife, deeply involved in the lives of his children and all four grandchildren. He taught them by word and deed, loved them with the gentle calm and strength that only a grandfather can and reveled daily in the joy of watching them grow and come into their own as young adults. They are yet another generation molded by his love and guidance, carrying him forward in their hearts and lives.

He was a man of faith; he served as Deacon and later as Elder at Bow Creek Presbyterian Church. Shortly after relocating to Hampton, Ed and Vi became members of First Presbyterian Church in Hampton, where he proudly assisted in the baptism of all four of his grandchildren.

He was the most generous, loving, kind and selfless human being ever. Even in his golden years, though he and Vi have very little financially, Ed would tell you he was the wealthiest man alive because of the love of his family and friends. No matter what the circumstance, Ed had the most tenacious love for life and appreciated even the tiniest blessings.

Our hearts are broken by the loss of him, but our pain is eased in knowing he is no longer hurting. His incredible spirit is finally freed from a body that was worn out and could no longer contain it. He loved life and put up one hell of a fight for it right to the end. He definitely left this world spent after sharing everything he had and everything beautiful that he was with all of us around him.

Ed is survived by his wife of 63 years, Viola Meeks Chitty; son, Edward Marshall Chitty II of Hampton; daughter, Mary Kaye "Kaycee" Childress and husband Kenny Tschida of Ashburn, VA grandchildren, Joshua Matthew Chitty, Audrey Lynn Chitty Cole and husband Steven, Calaway Stevens Childress and Cameron Christopher Childress; and great-grandson, Chase Patrick Cole.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00pm on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Hampton, by Dr. Cynthia Rosser-Higgins. All are invited to join the family for a reception at the church, immediately follow the memorial service.

Arrangements are by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions in Hampton, 757-825-8070.