Lloyd A. Rountree, 83, of Suffolk, Va., passed away Monday, Dec. 27, 2010. He was a native of Hertford County, N.C., and was the son of the late George and Telea Rountree.  He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 48 years, Winnie. He was also predeceased by his brother, John David Rountree, and sister, Willie Mae Hoggard.

He leaves to cherish his memory: son, Alan (Ellen) and granddaughter Kaitlyn; son, Steven (Wanda) and grandson Travis; step-grandchildren, Justin (LeAnn), Heather (B.J.), and Nicholas; step-great-grandchildren, Kayla, Christian, and Kearstin, and a sister, Mary R. Branchaud.

Lloyd enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served in naval intelligence during World War II and the Korean War. Upon his release, he married the love of his life and started a family, his pride and joy. For more than 30 years, he was the advertising director for the Thorton’s and Heileg-Meyers furniture chains, and for Home Furniture and Furniture World in Norfolk, Va. He continued to work at Carter’s Furniture until his recent illness. Lloyd and Winnie were charter members of Hillcrest Baptist Church, where he was a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and taught Royal Ambassadors. He served on the Southern Baptist Missions Board and the Blackwater Association. Lloyd conducted prison ministry for many years in Southampton County.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010, at 1 p.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim George officiating. Interment will be at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk, Va. Memorial donations may be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church for support of prison ministry, 1637 Holland Road, Suffolk, VA 23434. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.

Lloyd was truly a beacon in the community and dearly loved by all who knew him. His love and sacrifice touched many lives. Teaching tolerance and forgiveness through the example of his life, he frequently said although most remember John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” sometimes we forget the verse that follows, John 3:17: “For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”