The Obituary Section

Margie Ellen Bland

, Virginia

October 10, 2026

Suffolk - Margie Ellen Bland, 93, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 11, 2026. She was born in Mullins, WV to the late William and Pearl Pritchett. She was a faithful member of Grove Park Baptist Church for 60 + years and retired from SUPSHIP with Norfolk Naval Shipyard as an accountant. She is predeceased by her first husband, Raymond James Shortridge and her second husband, Rudolph Vincent Bland. She is survived by her three children, Randy James Shortridge and wife Melinda, Robert Leslie Shortridge and Sharon Kay Crouch and husband Michael; four step-children, Linda D. Smith, Terry L. Cook, Cindy J. Cross and Vincent Bland; two nieces, Pam Copeland and Patty Pierce; four grandchildren, Alicia Crouch, Lauren Groce (Rick), Alexandra Crouch-Wisdom and Brandon Shortridge; and one great grandson, Triston Michael Wisdom.Margie enjoyed an afternoon fishing and catching crabs from her pier at her home in Suffolk, VA and spending early…

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James "Tommy" Twine

, Virginia

James Thomas Twine, Jr., known as Tommy, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Tommy was born in Portsmouth, VA and was 75 years old.He loved his wife Debra "Debbie" Robinson Twine for 48 years. He is survived by his son, Michael Thomas Twine and wife, Erin. He will be missed by his two grandsons, Oliver and Lucas, and his granddaughter Elliot.Tommy was predeceased by his parents, James and Louise Twine, and his brother, Charles Ray Wheeler.Tommy taught public school for 31 years at Waters Junior High and Norcom High in Portsmouth. He loved to ski, surf, walk on the beach, and fish. He also enjoyed attending Bluegrass Festivals, mountain getaways in the Fall, and Norcom football games.A celebration of his life will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Christ's Fellowship, 2925 Victory Blvd., Portsmouth 23702. Tommy would want…

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Christal Tyree Truitt

, Virginia

November 25, 1970 — October 10, 2026

Christal Tyree Truitt, 55, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2026. She was born on November 26, 1970, in Portsmouth, Virginia, to the late Christopher Tyree and Arlene Phillips.Christal lived a life defined by love, determination, and an unwavering devotion to those she held dear. She dedicated many years of her life to the shipbuilding industry, working as a financial estimator at BAE Systems. A proud college graduate, she approached her career with the same intelligence, dedication, and perseverance that characterized so much of her life.To know Christal was to know kindness. She possessed a rare gift for making people feel welcome, valued, and understood. She never met a stranger, only a friend she hadn't made yet. Her genuine warmth, easygoing nature, and infectious spirit left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to cross her path.Above all else, Christal treasured her family. Whether sharing laughter, offering encouragement, or simply…

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Frank C. Snell

, Virginia

SUFFOLK- It is with deep love and heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing of Frank Combs Snell, 90, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at home surrounded by loving family. He was born on March 29, 1936 in Columbia, North Carolina to the late Ervin E Snell and Meta Combs Mason. Frank was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Evelyn White Snell; sister, Stella Snell Hargrave; and brother Joshua Snell.Frank was a graduate of Cradock High School class of 1954. He was a devout Christian who loved the Lord and served as secretary and treasurer at Broadmoor Pentecostal Holiness Church. Later in life, Frank was unable to attend church and faithfully watched Jimmy Swaggart ministries. Frank was a retired truck driver dedicated to service and committed to quality. He won the Golden Wheels Award in 1996.He is survived by his two daughters, Tammy Snell Umphlett and her husband John…

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Sally Macon Williams

, Virginia

October 2, 2026

Sally Macon Williams passed away on October 3, 2026, in Portsmouth, Virginia, at age 74. She was born in Charlotte, NC, in 1951, but moved about with her family to Florida, then Wisconsin, then Ohio, and eventually to her mother’s original hometown, neighborhood, and family home in Portsmouth.Macon attended Woodrow Wilson High School, where she was a National Merit finalist, then studied at the College of William and Mary, where she became a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. She graduated from William and Mary with a B.S. in Biology. During one Christmas vacation from her Williamsburg endeavors, she was celebrated as a Portsmouth Assembly debutante.After W&M, she went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Oceanography from Old Dominion University in Norfolk. Oceanography jobs turned out to be far away from the Norfolk area; so, following her Aunt Evalan Williams’ lead, she accepted employment with the Social Security Administration…

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