Inez Ruby Everett Lassiter, wife of the late Earnest Lassiter (Lassiter’s Bus Service Inc.), the ninth of 10 children born to John S. and Annie B. Everett, was born on Feb. 17, 1931, in Boykins.

The family matriculated to farm life in Suffolk when she was a baby and joined Canaan Baptist Church where, as a child, she became a part of the music ministry. As a teen, Inez and two of her sisters (Christine and Dorothy) formed a gospel singing group, “The Everett Sisters.” Among bookings, they could be heard on Suffolk’s WRPM-AM radio station. She was educated in the Nansemond County (now Suffolk) Public School system. On graduation day, she received both her high school diploma from East Suffolk High School and her Licensed Practical Nurse certificate from then Suffolk Community Hospital. Soon after high school, Inez used her LPN license and became midwife to many. She later spent time as an assistant in anesthesiology in the operating room at Lenox Hill Hospital York City.

Upon return to Suffolk, Inez rejoined Canaan, where she was active on the Deaconess Board (past president), Fellowship and Gospel choir (past president), and Sunday school. She enjoyed her membership in the Busy Bee Garden Club (past treasurer) and the Nansemond Parkway Civic League. Inez was also affiliated with the Royal Star Chapter No. 200 of the Eastern Star Prince Hall. She was quite active in state and local Virginia Democratic Party politics. As part owner of Lassiter’s Bus Service, Inez enjoyed hosting many bus trips taken nationwide.

Left to cherish fond memories are her children: Eric Lassiter (Chong), John Lassiter (Chyrel), and Gwendolyn Walker, all of Suffolk; stepdaughter, Lillian Hopson (William), of Carson, Calif.; five grandchildren, Erika, John (JP), Eric Stanley, Chandra, and Danielle; sisters, Thelma Hicks, of Suffolk, and Dorothy Cohen (William), of Fredericksburg; sister-in-law, Mary Frances Everett, of Suffolk, and brother-in-law, Clyde Garrison, of Philadelphia, Pa., as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at noon Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, at Canaan Baptist Church. Dr. Hairston will deliver the eulogy, and she will be laid to rest in Canaan Baptist Church Cemetery. Condolences to the Lassiter family may be extended to www.crockerfuneralhome.com. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.