Dear Friends and Classmates,
Eternal optimist that I
am, I am just certain that any old day now I'll have some grand and
gloriously happy news to report to you (such as all my systems being
restored), but for now, here are the three latest bits of sad news.
From Jimmy Parker
('62) of VA - 06/21/05:
Carol,
I read this morning that
Johnsie Bost, mother of Andra Bost (class of '58)
and Linda Bost, deceased, (class of '62), passed away
on Sunday, June 19th. Thought you might like to know.
Thank you, Jimmy. I did see
it; I was just dragging my feet.
Johnsie Irene Reece
Bost
NEWPORT NEWS - Johnsie Irene Reece Bost, 83, died Sunday,
June 19, 2005, at York Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center after a long
battle with cancer. Born in Biscoe, N.C., she lived most of her life in
Newport News. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years,
Fletcher W. Bost Jr.; a son, Fletcher W. Bost III; a daughter, Linda Bost
Costello; a great-grandson, Robert Brodie Taft; and a sister, Wilma Reece
Britt. She is survived by daughters, Andra Bost Pearce of Yorktown and
Mildred Bost Viers and husband, Hassel, of Newport News; grandchildren,
Barbara and Ray Taft of Colonial Heights, Katherine and Jan Koman of
Newport News, Jennifer and David Paxton of Winterville, N.C., Charles and
Roberta Costello of Florida, John and Shannon Costello of Georgia and
Angela Bennett of Chicago, Ill.; nine great-grandchildren and three
great-great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings include John E. Reece of
Chattanooga, Tenn., Mary Jo Difatta of Natrona Heights, Pa. and June K.
Reece of Mooresville, N.C. Family visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 22, at Peninsula Funeral Home. A brief graveside service
will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 23, at Peninsula Memorial Park with
the Rev. Katherine Gray officiating. The family would like to express deep
appreciation to the staff at York Convalescent Center for the loving care
given to our mother and for being her 'other family.'
Published in the Daily Press on 6/21/2005.
Many of us remember
the Bost family with fondness. Audra was a member of the
Class of 1958, Linda of 1962, and Millie
of 1966; I cannot find their brother's class. Our thought and prayers are
with them all.
Annie L. 'Sue'
Lightfoot
NEWPORT NEWS - Annie L. 'Sue' Lightfoot, 86, passed away
peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family, Saturday, June
18, 2005. Sue was born in Norge, Va., and moved to Newport News where she
attended Buxton Hospital Nursing School, graduated in 1939 as a registered
nurse and was employed as a private duty nurse on the Peninsula. She was a
loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Sue was a member
of Orcutt Baptist Church and will be fondly remembered by those who knew
her for her strength, independence, 'I can do it myself' attitude and her
wonderful sense of humor. Sue also had a special love and compassion for
dogs and all of God's creatures. She is survived by her only child, Nettie
Lamb and her husband, James W. Lamb; two granddaughters, Jennifer and
Jessica; and a sister, Nettie Marie Worsham of Arizona. A memorial service
will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, in Amory Funeral Home, Grafton,
with the Rev. Reggie Warren officiating. The family will receive friends
in their home following the service. The family would like to extend their
appreciation to Dr. Elizabeth Hardin and the staff of Virginia Oncology
Associates in the Newport News office, the Riverside Lifeline Personal
Response and Support Services, and a special thank you to the nurses and
staff of Personal Touch Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests
that memorial donations be made to The American Cancer Society for Ovarian
Cancer Research, 895 Middle Ground Blvd., Suite 154, Newport News, VA
23606.
Published in the Daily Press from 6/20/2005 -
6/21/2005.
Mrs. Lightfoot's
son-in-law, Jimmy Lamb, is a member of the Class of
1963. Our deepest sympathies are extended to the family.
Elaine Parks Ball
ONANCOCK - Elaine Parks Ball, 84, died June 18, 2005, in
Onancock, Va., in the presence of her loving sister and her three loving
children. Mrs. Ball was born Jan. 15, 1921, in Onancock, where she was
raised among family and countless friends, first on North Street, and then
in the home her grandfather built, at 24 Kerr St. She graduated from Mary
Washington College in 1941 with a bachelor of science degree in education.
She was married to the late David Joseph Ball in 1944, and they lived in
Hampton, Va., until 2002 when she returned to Onancock, for a retired life
near friends and family, supported by the devoted staff of the Hermitage
of the Eastern Shore. Mrs. Ball taught high school in Accomack County for
two years, and she was then a librarian in the Newport News school system
for 28 years, at Newport News High School, Newport News Intermediate
School and Dozier Intermediate School. She was a member of St. John's
Episcopal Church in Hampton and she later transferred her church
membership back to the spiritual roots of her childhood, Holy Trinity
Episcopal Church in Onancock. She was a member of the PEO, the Delta Kappa
Gamma Society, the Peninsula Arts Society and other professional and
service organizations. She contributed heavily to the growth and
development of many students on both shores of the Chesapeake Bay and was
an educational inspiration to her three children. Elaine was dearly
cherished by all who knew her, and she would want all to know that her
love for us was every bit as deep and strong. Mrs. Ball is survived by her
devoted sister, Mildred Beth Graham; her daughter, Jeanne Ball Burger, and
children, Scott and Andrew; her son, John David Ball, his wife, Bonney,
and children, Michael and Taylor; her son William Parks Ball, his wife,
Kati, and children, Benjamin and Kelly; her nephew, Richard Stuart Graham
Jr., his wife, Debbie, and daughter, Lindsay; her nieces, Sandra Brown,
Bonnie Unger, Cindy Socci and Laney Ball; and her nephews, Sandy Ball and
Keith Ball. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 24, at
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on Market Street in Onancock. In lieu of
flowers, donations of love may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church,
66 Market St., Onancock, VA 23417, or to any area Hospice Program.
Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
Published in the Daily Press on 6/22/2005.
Mrs. Ball, of course, was
our beloved school librarian for many years. Her son, Bobby,
I believe was a member of the Class of 1963; I've been unable to determine
Jeanne's class. Our sympathies are extended to the
entire family.
Y'all take care of each
other. TYPHOONS FOREVER!
Love to all, Carol