Obituaries
R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home Obituaries
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
Robert Napoleon Bright
Aug 10, 2025
Robert Napoleon Bright, a devoted father, grandfather, and retired shipbuilder, passed away on August 10, 2025, in Hampton, VA. He was born in Whiteville, NC, to the late Thomas Napoleon "Poley" Bright and Eva Florence Phillips Bright.
After serving in the Air Force, Robert dedicated 38 and a half years of his life to Newport News Shipbuilding,...
Joann Elizabeth Perry Horton
Aug 9, 2025
Joann Elizabeth Horton (Perry), 54, of Hampton, Virginia, passed away on August 9, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Â Born on February 16, 1971, in West Point, Virginia, Joann was the beloved daughter of the late Charles and Violet Perry. She carried with her the warmth and strength of her upbringing throughout her life.
Joann graduated from Christopher...
Teresa C. Rice
Aug 7, 2025
Teresa C. Rice, 68, died Thursday, August 7, 2025. Born in Richmond, she had been a Hampton resident since 1987. She enjoyed playing Bingo, both in person and online, was a pool shark, and was an avid reader. Her greatest love was her family, especially the grandkids.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Elwood...
Barbara Ann Ware
Aug 7, 2025
Barbara Ann Ware, 63, died Thursday, August 7, 2025. A longtime resident of Hampton, she loved playing Bingo and attending festivals with her children when they were younger. She was an avid artist and enjoyed drawing and painting.
Preceded in death by her mother, Doris Herron, her sister, Loretta Hartley, and her daughter, Stephanie Ware; survivors include...
Robert M. Boone
Aug 4, 2025
Love doesn't die, people do. Robert M. Boone, 70, died Monday, August 4, 2025. Born in Newport News, he was a lifelong Peninsula resident and retired as a ship fitter from the department of Navy at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Computer Information Systems from Thomas Nelson Community College. He loved to...
Stephanie Ann Ware
Aug 2, 2025
Stephanie Ann Ware, 37, died on Saturday, August 2, 2025, after a long, hard-fought illness at the Hume-Lee Transplant Center at VCU. Born in Roanoke, VA, she grew up in Hampton where she attended Kecoughtan High School and had worked at Smitty's Better Burger and at the concession stand at Langley Speedway. In recent years, she had lived in...
Barbara Lena Weigel
Aug 1, 2025
Barbara Lena Weigel, 104, died Friday, August 1, 2025. Born in Princeton, NJ, she moved to Hampton in 1944 where she went to work at NACA/NASA as a Human Computer/Mathematician, retiring in 1980 after 36 years of service. She was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church of Hampton and had been a member of Grace Fellowship for the...
Jean Moore Wade
Jul 31, 2025
Jean Wade of Hampton Va. passed away peacefully on July 31 at the age of 89.
Her life was a testament to her faith as she lived by the words of Philippians 4:13:13 'I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength'. She was born in Green County North Carolina on February 6, 1936 where...
Mary Elizabeth Stokes
Jul 28, 2025
Mary Stokes (née Picinich) died early Monday morning, after a brief period in hospice. Mrs. Stokes moved to the Peninsula after graduating from Longwood College with degrees in mathematics and biology. She taught math and biology at Newport News High School for several years. She considered this time to be one of the happiest and most rewarding in her...
Cheri Beth Beasley
Jul 25, 2025
Cheri Beth Beasley, age 65, passed away unexpectedly on Friday July 25, 2025, leaving a large hole in the lives of her extended family and friends, and a larger one in the life of her husband.
Born on February 17, 1960, in Smithfield, North Carolina, Beth grew up on a farm in Bentonville and built a life...
Vivian Lee Bowman
Jul 22, 2025
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Vivian L. Bowman, wife of the late Robert L. Bowman, mother of Brenda S. White, Robin L. Cole and Scott R. Bowman(Amy Hazelette Bowman), grandmother of Casey L. White(Elise White) and R. Kyle White(Lindsay Phaup), and great grandchildren  R. Dane White and Wren A. White. She was also...
Michael E. Sullivan
Jul 20, 2025
Mike "Spike" Sullivan, 54, a native of Hampton, Va. passed away Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Sentara Careplex Hospital.
He is survived by daughter, Morgan Laux and husband, Cole with grandsons, Felix Christopher and Shepherd Michael; son, Matthew Sullivan and fiancée, Sarah Rhodes with daughter, Margot Elise; mother, Sallie Schroeder; brother, William Sullivan and sister, Joanie Perry....
Lorie Denise Hitchler
Jul 19, 2025
Lorie Denise Smith Hitchler, age 61, passed away unexpectedly on July 19, 2025.
Born on December 31, 1963, in Newport News, Virginia, Lorie was raised in Phoebus and built a life rooted in warmth, resilience, and devotion to those she loved. She dedicated over 25 years to the hospitality industry, most notably at the Hampton Inn Oceanfront,...
Starla Hardin Gates
Jul 19, 2025
Starla (Star) Hardin Gates, 61, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 19, 2025. Â Born in Shelby, NC, she has been a resident of Willoughby Spit since 1995
Star is survived by her husband, Geoffrey Gates; mother-in-law, Margery Gates; Â daughter, Jessie Arrand Galano (Mike); grandchildren, Jo Arrand Jane Galano, Drusilla Grace Galano; brother, Chris Hardin (Karen);...
David Wayne Crockett
Jul 16, 2025
David Wayne Crockett, 70, passed away on July16, 2025. Â Born in Seattle, WA, he has been a resident of the Peninsula since,1959.
David was preceded in death by his father, Wayne Crockett; mother, Shirley Jacobs, and grandparents, Murphy and Susie Williams, Judson Crockett, Thelma Dudley (Raymond). Â He is survived by his brothers, Rodney James Crockett (companion, Sondra),...
Phyllis C Ayers
Jul 13, 2025
Phyllis C. Ayers passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 13, 2025. Â Born in Louisburg, NC she moved to the Peninsula at a young age. Phyllis devoted her life to youth activities with a career helping students at CNU and recreational activities such as scouting, PTA, and youth ministries.
She was preceded in death by her...
Sonja U. Hawthorne
Jul 13, 2025
Sonja Ursula Koch Bizier Hawthorne, died July 13, 2025. Born in 1941 in Berlin, Germany, she had been a longtime resident of the Peninsula. Sonja loved animals and was a talented artist. She excelled at stained glass, painting, and ceramics. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her parents...
Ann Louise Young
Jul 9, 2025
Ann Louise Young, 72, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. She was born in North Conway, New Hampshire, to parents Thomas and Dorothy Russell. Ann graduated from Kenneth High School in 1970 and shortly after, married the love of her life, Ron Young; they were married for 54 wonderful years! She devoted her life...
Isrell Hall
Jul 5, 2025
Mr. Isrell Hall, a proud United States Air Force veteran, devoted family man, and faithful public servant, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. He was 91 years old.
Born on March 29, 1934, in Naylor, Georgia, Mr. Hall lived a life rooted in service, honor, and love. He joined...
Sharon Denise Mills
Jul 4, 2025
Sharon Denise Mills, 68, a long-time resident of Hampton, VA, passed away on Friday, July 4, 2025, after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease. She was born on November 11, 1956, in Denver, CO to the late Maj (ret) Harold L. Mills and the late Lorraine E. Mills (nee Dyson). Â During her career she held a number of positions,...

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