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LEONA MAE BLACK EVERHART & THOMAS L. EVERHART

Our beautiful mother, Leona Mae Black Everhart passed away on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, and our wonderful father, Thomas L. Everhart joined her on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015.

They were married for 79 years and now are continuing their lifetime of love in their eternal home. They were members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Newport News.

Leona Everhart was born on Feb. 19, 1920 in Thomasville, N.C., to the late Effie Copple Black and Lewis E. Black. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, John Clifford (Carolyn) Black and Lewis E. Black Jr. Leona retired from Maida Development Company after more than 30 years of service.

Thomas Everhart was born on April 15, 1915 in Thomasville, N.C., to the late Rachael Louise Fritts and William Daniel Everhart. He was preceded in death by his six sisters, Claudia (Sidney) Parrish, Mary (Joseph) Harris, Minnie (James) McIntyre, Grace (John) Maiden, Faye (Bud) Kennedy and Ruth (Virgil) Myers, and two brothers, Percy (Lila) Everhart and Ralph (Edith) Everhart. They were also preceded in death by their wonderful son-in-law, Gerald P. Nicoletta. 

Thomas and Leona were married in Thomasville on Feb. 22, 1936. They resided on the Peninsula from 1942 until 2010 when they moved to Hayes to be near their daughter. Thomas retired from the Newport News Shipyard after more than 38 years of service.

Both Thomas and Leona loved to work in their vegetable and flower gardens. Leona would can all the vegetables and they would enjoy them during the year. Thomas also loved building things, beautiful carpentry work that was proudly displayed in their original home. He could fix anything—certainly a jack of all trades. They both loved to fish and spend time with their families and friends.

Survivors include their son, Eugene L. Everhart and wife Frances of Eden, Ga.; daughter, Mary Evelyn “Ebbie” Nicoletta, of Hayes; granddaughter, Michelle E. Berryman of Suffolk, Va. They are also survived by several nieces, nephews and their families, and many wonderful neighbors and friends.

Funeral services conducted by Pastor Frederick Guy were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point. Interment followed in Rosewell Memorial Garden Cemetery. The family received friends Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Hogg Funeral Home. At other times the family was at the residence of Thomas and Leona Everhart.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and thanks to the staff of Grace Hospice, VPA and the personal caregivers for their support, love and care.

In memory of Thomas and Leona, contributions may be sent to The Parkinson Foundation, 8300 Greensboro Drive, Suite 800, McLean, Va. 22102, American Heart Association, c/o Anne Dyal, 8374 Kitchener Drive, Gloucester, Va. 23061, American Diabetes Association, 870 Greenbriar Circle, Greenbriar Tower, Suite 404, Norfolk, Va. 23320 or Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia, P.O. Box 800659, UVA Health Center, Charlottesville, Va. 22908.

Beyond the shadow lies the promise of everlasting life with our good Shepherd. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want … Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” 

Psalm 23:1,6