January 25, 2006

The Rev. Seth Wilbur Haywood Sr. died Jan. 25, 2006, at 8:30 p.m. in Louise Obici Memorial Hospital. He was born April 30, 1925, to Alfred Haywood and Grace Devereaux Haywood. The Rev. Haywood was preceded in death by two sisters, Reatha H. Lee and Pauline Haywood.

He was formerly employed at the shipyard and Haywood’s Upholstery in Suffolk and Portsmouth.

On Sept. 24, 1945, he married Mable Louis Lee. To this union, three children were born. He accepted Christ as his personal savior and joined Bethlehem UCC. He later began his pastoral services at the following churches: St. Mary Christian Church, Galatian Christian Church, Christian Union Christian Church and New Bethany Christian Church.

He served in the U.S. Army and received his education at Booker T. Washington School and Norfolk State College, where he graduated in religion education.

He leaves to cherish his memory, a loving devoted wife of 60 years, Mrs. Mable Lee Haywood; two daughters, Zethlyn H. Giles (Windell), Barbara H. Skinner (Juan); one son, Seth W. Haywood Jr. (Celicia), three sisters, Rosa Woodard of Georgetown, Pa.; Mrs. Marion Downing of Suffolk, Mrs. Ophelia James of Suffolk, nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Rosa Lee, Robbie Crocker and Loulla Smith; nieces, nephews; and a host of relatives and friends. He will dearly missed but never forgotten. The funeral will be Monday at 1 p.m. at New Bethany United Church Christ, Smithfield, Va., by the Rev. Douglas Jones, pastor. Burial will be in Nansemond and Suffolk cemetery in Suffolk.

The body will be taken from Peebles Funeral Home to the church at 11 a.m.