Howard Wesley Sorey of Mathews, Va., went to meet his beloved wife, Susan, in heaven on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Howard was born on Sept. 26, 1948 to Carroll and Hulda Sorey in Norfolk County, Va. He had his first job at the tender age of six when he was his father’s right hand in farming, a job that would continue into high school and lead to him being a produce truck driver. After Howard graduated from Great Bridge High School in 1966, he studied engineering at Old Dominion University. He continued delivering produce even after he put his engineering degree to use as a Navy civilian at Norfolk Naval Air Base. Howard worked for NARF from 1966 until his retirement in 1991. He then pursued his passion in woodworking and as a part-time granddaddy-babysitter. He re-entered the professional workforce in 1998 at Simco Electronics and stayed until his final retirement in 2015. Through his career, he traveled the world in order to map the North Star and progression of the Earth for flight navigation. He married his high school sweetheart, Susan, in 1966. They were married for nearly 48 years raising seven children who adored them.
Howard was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Susan; his parents, Carroll and Hulda, and his sister, Carolyn.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Judy Lassiter (Vince), Robby Sorey (Tracey), Wendy Byrns (Chris), Kim Way (Bill), Shane Sorey (Missy), Jenny Sorey (Walter), Shanna Chandler (Donnie); his grandchildren, Whitney, Andi, Melissa, Abbie, Emily, Taylor, Logan, Matt, Connor, C.W., Justin, Patrick, Indigo, Lora and Lenna, and step-grandchildren, Will and Grayson; six great-grandsons, with three more great-grandchildren on the way; a brother, Kevin Sorey (Lynn), and many nieces and a nephew.
Howard was kind, compassionate and generous with his time and resources. He volunteered at Hands Across Mathews for many years, and fed barbecue to thousands as the head chef/caterer of Tater Neck BBQ. He shared his passion for good food with his family, and the tradition is carried on in his namesake café, Howard Dooley. He opened his home and heart to friends, extended family, and anyone who needed the stability and love that came with being a Sorey. The only thing that rivaled his kindness was his intelligence. There wasn’t anything he didn’t know or anything he couldn’t fix.
The family received friends from 3-5 p.m. on Monday, May 9 at Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews. A celebration of Howard’s life was held at 5 o’clock on Monday immediately following visitation. Honorary pallbearers were C.W. Sorey, Patrick Sorey, Matt Lankford, Connor Lankford, Logan Byrns and Justin Sorey. Donations may be made in his honor to Hands Across Mathews, P.O Box 1303, Mathews, Va. 23109, the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, 94 Cricket Hill Road, Hudgins, Va. 23076 or to the Mathews Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 1130, Mathews, Va. 23109, or choose an act of kindness.