Obituaries
R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home Obituaries
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
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,...
Melissa Paige Walters
Jul 4, 2025
Melissa P. Walters, 47, gained her wings Friday, July 4, 2025. Born in Newport News, she was a lifelong Peninsula resident. A Registered Nurse, she had worked at many local hospitals and nursing homes. Melissa loved a good trip, especially if it was to the beach. She was always the avid photographer, capturing many family memories. In her younger...
Ann Whiting Hill Suit
Jul 4, 2025
Ann Whiting Hill Suit died peacefully at her home in Williamsburg, Virginia on July 4th, 2025, at the age of 86. She was born to the late Charles Melton Hill, Sr. and Ann Elizabeth Guy Hill. Ann grew up in Hampton, Virginia and graduated from Hampton High School, class of 1957. Â She continued her education at Longwood College in...
Deborah L. Baranowski
Jul 3, 2025
Deborah Lee Baranowski, 64, died Thursday, July 3, 2025. Born in Groton, CT, she was the daughter of the late Leola and Leland Smith.
Deborah was an avid card player (especially Phase 10), loved sitting in the sun, shopping with her sisters, and watching the Game Show Network, but her greatest love was spending time with her...
Evelyn Josephine Nettles
Jun 30, 2025
Evelyn Josephine Nettles, 82, was called home to spend eternity with Jesus on June 30, 2025. Born on August 3, 1942 in Sophia, WV, she grew up the daughter of a coal miner. Her family moved to the Peninsula in 1960 and Evelyn rented a room on her own nearby Hampton Roads Baptist Church (now Coastal Hampton). She began...
Robert "Bo" S. Brown, Jr.
Jun 28, 2025
Robert "Bo" Brown, Jr. 60, passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Â He was born on October 3, 1964, to parents Robert and Winnie Brown. Â Bo made his career as a painter; loved his life on Buckroe Beach; and spent countless hours riding his bike around. Â He was known as "Buckroe Bo" where he enjoyed his cigarettes, dear friends...

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