September 9, 2012

Carol Cordell White Gay, 91, departed this earthly life on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, at the Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center. A native of Suffolk, Va., she was born April 9, 1921, to the late Charlie White and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Sears White.

She attended Jordan School and Nansemond Collegiate Institute. Upon graduation, she entered Norfolk Unit a division of Virginia Union, now Norfolk State University, where she was the first Homecoming Queen. In 1946, she married the late David Gay and they moved to New York. She became an employee of Bell Atlantic (Ma Bell) Telephone Company. Her employment there took her to several heights, one of which was speaking seven different languages and becoming an international operator. She was given the Pioneer award at AT&T. Upon retiring in 1977, she relocated to Suffolk and took special care of her mother, whom she loved dearly. She became a member of St Mary’s Catholic Church and remained an active member until her health began to decline and she became a resident at Sentara Nursing Center in Portsmouth, Va. In Portsmouth, she joined the New Bethel Baptist Church under the pastorship of Rev. Whitaker.

She leaves to cherish her memory a special cousin, Mrs. Sonja S. Parker, who accepted the call to be her guardian; and many other cousins and friends.

A homegoing service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, in the chapel of Crocker Funeral Home. Interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, from 6 to 7 p.m. and other times in the home of her cousin, Faye Ledbetter, 2505 Woodland Trail, Suffolk. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.