Death of Gerald Wright – Class of 1964

I was quite dismayed to find this listing in this morning’s Daily Press:

http://www.legacy.com/dailypress/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=122005979

Death of Ruby Massey Phillips Berka – Class of 1943

Also in this this morning’s Daily Press was this obituary:

http://www.legacy.com/dailypress/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Notice&PersonID=121961890

Death of Jimmy Hazelwood – Class of @ 1949

From F.A. Saunders (Hampton HS – ’64) of VA – 12/28/08:

Hi Carol,

I learned that Jimmy Hazelwood passed away on Christmas Day, and I think he may have graduated from NNHS as he grew up in East End. I haven’t seen the obit in the paper yet but he would be in his mid 70’s, I believe. Just wanted to give you a heads up, and have a wonderful time wherever you are enjoying yourself. You deserve a break.

F.A. Saunders

Thanks, F.A.! Jimmy’s obituary was in this morning’s paper:

http://www.legacy.com/dailypress/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Notice&PersonID=121961893

Death of Barbara Ballard Watts – Class of 1955

From Willard Weaver (’55) of VA – 12/28/08:

Please add this obituary to the Class of 1955 list on your web site.  Thanks.

Willard Weaver

As you may have heard Barbara died on 12/11. She always enjoyed hearing from her classmates and particularly enjoyed the fortieth reunion in 1995. Ill health kept her from attending the 50^th.

Phil Watts

12/12/2008 – Obituary for Barbara Ballard Watts

Barbara Watts (BB) 71 of Birmingham died after a long illness on 12/11/08. She graduated from Newport News High School. She studied voice at the Commune de Molenbeek-Saint-Jean Academy of Music in Brussels, Belgium and was a solo performer for many years. Barbara received an Associate Degree from UAB and a BS in Religion from Samford Univ. She was the first woman ordained to the ministry by Southside Baptist Church in 1994 and served as a Chaplain at Princeton Towers Retirement Center and at Brookwood Hospital. She joined Southside Baptist Church in 1982 where she taught several Sunday School classes, sang in the choir, and was a member of its first Aids Care Team.

BB is survived by her husband Phil, children Cherrie (Kip) Reed, Keith Williams, Neal (Wanda) Williams; step-children Cecelia Watts (Steve Oliver), Philip (Frances) Watts, Melanie Watts; grandchildren Ryan (Alison) Williams, Catie and Blake Reed, Jordyn and Jessica Williams, William and Jenny Watts and a great granddaughter Alexis Williams.

Barbara was known for her generous and loving nature and her spirit of hospitality. Her light will shine on in the lives of the many she touched.

Any memorials should go to Southside Baptist Church, Box 55058, Birmingham, AL 35255.

Death of Marie Swann – Class of 1958

From Joe Drewry (’58) of VA – 12/28/08:

A death notice for Marie Swann was in this morning’s Daily Press as follows:

Daily Press – 12/28/08

Newport News – Lottie Marie Swann, 68, former employee of Witt Mares Accounting, died Monday, Dec. 22, 2008.
Services are private.
Arrangements by W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.

I located what appears to a correct residential address:

Lottie M. Swann
4610 Warwick Blvd
Newport News, VA 23607-2635
no phone listed

There were no living family members listed in the death notice and as far as I know, no classmate has had any recent contact with Marie.

If anyone has additional information to share with classmates, please provide it in an email.

The information on Marie in our 1958 Anchor is listed below:

Anchor Notes:
Home Room 109
Cafeteria Committee
Hockey Team
Girl’s Basketball
Volleyball
Senior Flower Committee
Future Business Leaders of America
School Spirit Committee

Thanks so much, Joe! As the death notices are not carried in the online edition of the Daily Press, I obviously would not have seen this.

Death of Barbara Smith Hawk – Class of 1959

I am deeply saddened this morning to report the passing of Barbara Smith Hawk, Class of 1959 (a typo in her obituary reports this as Class of 1957) on Thursday, December 26, 2008:

http://www.legacy.com/dailypress/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Notice&PersonID=121901263