Juan L. Davis, son of Roger Lee Davis, and the late Barbara B. Ward-Davis, entered into his eternal rest on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2002. He was born Oct. 17, 1981 in Hertford County, N.C. He attended the Gates County Public Schools, where he was admired and loved by his teachers and peers.

Juan was a loving son, grandson, brother, nephew and friend. His personality was magnetic, his inner spirit drew people to him He was blessed with a listening ear, short on words, quiet and wise in his 20 years. A very respectful young man loved by all that he met – a dominant role model for his two younger brothers.

Juan was employed by the Newport News Shipyard as a painter. A few weeks ago, Juan re-dedicated his life to Christ.

Today we are saddened by the loss of Juan. God merely needed a painter in heaven to touch up the sky, and he knew Juan was the one. We were not ready to let him go, but God knew that his mother awaited to see her son again.

He leaves to cherish in his memory his father, grandparents, McKeel and Elsie Ward, both of Gatesville, N.C.; two brothers, Justin J. and Shannon L. Davis, both of the home; three uncles, George T. Riddick (Deborah), Michael and Philip Eley, all of Gates County; one aunt, Zandra Smith of Elizabeth City, N.C.; a special friend, Sequoia R. Polk of Elizabeth City; and several other relatives and friends.

The funeral was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 in Gates County Community Center, Gatesville, with the Rev. Jimmy Mickens officiating. Burial was in Riddick Cemetery in Gatesville. Good News Community Funeral Home, Eure, N.C., was in charge.

Robert Massenburg

Robert &uot;Van&uot; Massenburg, 55, of 136 Greenfield Crescent, Suffolk, died Friday, Aug. 9, 2002, in Obici Hospital.

A native of Nansemond County, he was the son of the late Grady Massenburg Sr. and Sarah Parker-Massenburg.

He is survived by his wife, Linda I. Massenburg of Suffolk; a daughter, Tonya McAlister of Jessup, Md.; three sons, Terrance (Kyndra) of Stafford, LaMont Murphy of Jupiter, Fla., and Otis Mann of Washington, D.C.; three sisters, Mary Dickens, Paulette Thorogood, both of Suffolk, and Bernice (Earnest) Dixon of Strafford; three brothers, Thomas P. Massenburg, Grady Massenburg Jr. and Larry Massenburg, all of Suffolk; and three grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in Crocker Funeral Home. Interment will be in Holly Lawn Cemetery.

There will be no public viewing.

Crocker Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of the arrangements.

Bobby R. Miller

Bobby Ray Miller Sr., 64, of Suffolk, died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002, in Obici Hospital.

Born on Sept. 27, 1937, in Colerain, N.C., he was the son of the late George and Mattie Nickerson Miller. Mr. Miller was a retired roofer.

Survivors include his wife, Ruby Evans Miller; son, Bobby Ray Miller Jr. of Suffolk. and a brother, Dewey Miller of Portsmouth.

The graveside services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday in Colerain Cemetery by Captain David R. May.

The family will be at his home, 189 S. Main St., Suffolk.

R.W Baker and Co. Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.