The Life of Mrs. Earlean Delancy,81

In remembrance of a beloved Mother, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt, Cousin, Sister-In-Law, Neighbor and Friend.

Earlean Delancy, of 505 Hamilton Ave., Portsmouth, VA, was born in Northampton County, NC. She was the fifth oldest of nine children born to the late Roger and Mary Garner; Her siblings included; brother, Joseph Garner (deceased), brother, Lawrence Garner (deceased), sister, Lillie Mae Arrington (deceased); sister, Lucille Thomas; brother, Charlie Roger Garner (deceased); sister, Levonia Lewis (deceased); sister, Velvet Moody (deceased); and sister, Eula Highe.

She spent the early years of her life living on and helping to maintain the family residences and farms, the last which was located in Gaston, NC.

At the age of 17, on Dec. 23, 1950, she was United in Holy Matrimony to James Edward Roberts of Emporia, VA. There were three children born as a result of that union; sons, Edward Charles (deceased) and Wendell Carlton and one daughter Mary Magdalean (deceased).

James and Earlean relocated to Norfolk, VA around the year 1958. James expired on June 9, 1971.

Earlean gained an enviable work ethic from working on her family farm. After moving to Norfolk around 1958, Earlean briefly held employment at Barrels Resturant in Norfolk. Between May 15, 1964 and June 22, 1978, she worked briefly as a custodial aide at Lake Taylor Hospital and shortly thereafter, gained a lengthy employment by the City Of Norfolk at the Monticello Parking Garage. She began that employment as a custodian, but eventually rose to the position of cashier. The parking garage was eventually closed. At some point thereafter Earlean obtained employment at Norfolk General Hospital, which is now known as Sentara Norfolk General (dates are unavailable). She worked in the Operating Room's Surgical Instrument Sterilization Unit. As a nostalgic note, at one point, she and every one of her children were also employed by Norfolk General Hospital at the same time.

At a point in time, Earlean met a debonair and dashing gentleman by the name of Charles Eucal Delancy, a former CPO and Chef in the U.S. Navy. The two subsequently became a couple around the year 1972. The couple flourished and after an extended engagement period, they finally entered into Holy Matrimony on March 6, 1988. They spent many loving and wonderful years together. Charles was suddenly stricken with a life ending health issue in March of 1990.

Earlean had intermittent employment as a school bus driver for the City of Norfolk Public Schools System from September 1991 to March of 2000. Transporting children to and from school was one of her most cherished and greatest enjoyments. She loved the kids and never missed a day of work. She received numerous citations and awards for her conduct and character. It was not strange to visit Earlean and Charles, and for her to have countless photos little school kids on display, that they had given to her. Earlean eventually retired from this job due to a family crisis. She quit this job in order to care for the children of a family member, in order that they could go to work themselves every day.

Earlean ensured that her children were always well fed and well clothed. At certain times she often allowed other young female adults to share her modest residence, due to personal struggles they may have had. Earlean loved helping others and always had a warm and inviting smile and personality. She was always finding a person or cause so that she could exhibit her kindness, generosity and philanthropic spirit. Often she would even acquire the slightly worn possessions and items that others had tired of keeping and had thrown out and hoard them, just in case she ran into someone else who could use them. I often found it necessary to inform her that they would be unable to aquire or use them, if they remained locked up in her own household.

After the death of Charles, she lived alone for many years, but remained at the same residence. Her daughter Mary actualy lived across from her in the same building before her death.

Earlean eventually move in with her son, Carlton, due to her own declining health. She remained there for about 2-1/2 years until his health prevented him from providing for adequate care and attention. Earlean resided quietly and comfortably at Sentara Life Care Nursing Home for a little over 5 years prior to suddenly being stricken with pneumonia.

The light of many other lives have been and will remain diminished due to your absence.

Those left to cherish her memories are her son: Wendell Carlton Roberts of Portsmouth, VA,; two step-daughters: Sharon Delancy and Charlene Buck both of SC; a granddaughter: Kanitra Adele Roberts of Gaston, NC, a grandson: Kenneth Roberts of Portsmouth, VA,; two great granddaughters: Kayla Roberts and Kiana Butler and a great grandson: Malik Roberts of Gaston, NC; two sisters, Lucille Thomas (husband Ralph-deceased) and Eula Highe and husband Eugene all of Emporia, VA; three sister-in-law: Corrine Merritt and husband Matthew of Emporia, VA, Catherine Goodrich (husband Ed-deceased) of Emporia, VA and Earlene Butler of Gaston, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life for Mrs. Earlean Delancy, 81 formerly of Gaston, NC, will be held Friday, June 20, 2014, 1:00 PM at Cool Spring Missionary Baptist Church, Gaston, NC, Bishop Wayne I. Welch, Pastor will deliver the Eulogy. Burial will follow in the Garner Family Memorial Gardens, Gaston, NC.

Mrs. Earlean Delancy is resting in the comfort of Coleman Funeral Home and Staff.......Because We Care...