Nel was admitted to the hospital recently after a fall at home. He is now recuperating at Regency Healthcare Center (Room 4A). He’s expecting to be there for a couple of weeks. In the meantime, he would love a visit or a card. The address is 112 N Constitution Drive, Yorktown, VA 23692.

Richard “Buddy” Cleveland Smith, 72, went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, July 8, 2014. Buddy was a native and lifelong Newport News resident. He graduated from Fork Union Military Academy, the University of Richmond, and Elim Bible Institute. Buddy was a member of New Covenant Church, and was involved in home missions and traveled the world as a missionary and evangelist for over 30 years. He enjoyed fishing, baseball, and giving kids a ride in his wheelchair.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Nancy Carolyn Smith; two daughters, Tiffany Via (Douglas) and Mary Moore (Thomas); one son Tyler Kelce (Stephanie); one sister, Elizabeth “Betty” McCarty; and five grandchildren, Isabel Via, Rianna, Sofia, John Wallace, and Eli Kelce.

There will be a celebration of his life at 2 PM on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at New Covenant Church with Pastor Ted Jensen and Evangelist Dale Sexauer officiating. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 1 PM. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to New Covenant Church, Mission Fund, 1079 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA 23666.

Condolences may be left at www.wjsmithandsonfh.com. Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.

Click here to view the online obituary and sign the guest book.

Buddy’s service will be Saturday, July 12th, at New Covenant Church, 1079 Big Bethel Road, in Hampton.

Family Visitation will begin at 1pm, followed by the service at 2pm.

We were saddened to receive the news of the death of Buddy (Richard Cleveland) Smith, son of Elizabeth (Lulie) Smith, this morning, July 8, 2014.

Details regarding funeral arrangements will be posted as soon as they are available.

Obituary for Elizabeth Emerson

August 3, 1924 – July 4, 2014

Helen Elizabeth Emerson passed from this life to her heavenly home on July 4th, 2014, Independence Day, not quite a month short of her 90th birthday. She was born on August 3rd, 1924, to Frank Demetrius and Helen Pleasant Peters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was the eldest of four, two boys and two girls. Awaiting her arrival in heaven were her husband, George Brandon Emerson; her daughter, Angela Emerson; and her brothers, David Peters and Ed Cunningham. Elizabeth devoted every aspect of her being to her family. No clergymen have approached their God-given commission with greater resolve, commitment, or devotion than Elizabeth attributed to her Calling to a mother! Remaining behind to celebrate her life and recall our wonderful memories are ten of her eleven children and their spouses, Becky Gilbert, Frank and Kendra Emerson, Harry Emerson, Mary and Ed Thompson, Tim and Nicole Emerson, Ron and Denise Emerson, Margaret and J.D. Connell, Sam and Yvonne Emerson, John and Sheila Emerson, and Phillip and Mona Emerson. Her 129 surviving descendents include these ten previously mentioned living children, 50 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, and eleven 2nd great grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Karen Cooper, four brothers-in-law: Nelson Emerson, Sherwood Emerson, Robert Carol Emerson, and Henry Cooper; three sisters-in-law: Nora Emerson, Caroll Ed Emerson, and Nancy Emerson. As we learn to endure our loss of Elizabeth’s presence among us, we also rejoice in the certainty of her presence with her Lord Jesus Christ, and we are confident that we will see her again when we join her in heaven one day.

Click on the link at the top for the full obituary, including a slide show of wonderful family memories.

Congratulations to Bryan Girvin on the birth of a son,
Landon Connor Girvin, born 7/7/2014 at 7:07pm!
He weighed 8lbs. 3oz.

Landon is a descendant of Fred Emerson:
Landon, son of Bryan Girvin, son of Cheryl Emerson DeZego,
daughter of Frederick & Ann Emerson.