Tommie Sanford Byrum, 82, of Suffolk, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003, in Obici Hospital.

Born on March 10, 1920, in Gates County, N.C., he was the son of the late William H. and Mamie Hollowell Byrum.

Mr. Byrum had retired as a military chef, having served in the Army during World War II, Korean Conflict and Vietnam War.

Survivors include his nieces, Dana W. Britt of Wakefield; Jayne W. Hancock of Richmond; and nephew, Roy W. Weaver Jr. of Gates County.

The graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Douglas W. Gibson.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the R.W. Baker and Co. Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1515, Suffolk, Va. 23439.

Thomas E. Powell

Thomas Edward &uot;Bro&uot; Powell, 79, of 3002 Kendale Drive, Sanford, N.C., died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003.

A native of Suffolk, he was the son of the late Carrie Willis and Albert Powell.

After 27 years of service to the University of Delaware, he had retired in 1988 as a maintenance technician.

He was a member of New Bethel Freewill Baptist Church of Sanford, Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church of Belvidere, Del., where he was a trustee and usher and a member of the Male Choir in both churches.

Survivors include three daughters, Shirley Ann Hose of California; Carlotta Manley of Chesapeake; and Claudia Price of Wilmington, Del.; three sons-in-law; two sisters-in-law; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003, in Poplar Run Baptist Church, Suffolk, by the Rev. James Williams Jr. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Viewing will begin at 10 a.m. Friday in Abraham Applewhite and Sons Funeral Home, Suffolk.

The body will be placed in the church at noon.

The family will assemble for the service at 1 p.m.

Paul B. Purcell

Paul Baxter Purcell, 48, of 5918 Brookfield Road, Richmond, died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003.

A native of Portsmouth, he was a computer programmer for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Richmond office.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Suffolk.

He was a 1973 Suffolk High School graduate in which he was the photographer for the &uot;Peanut&uot; yearbook. He later went on to graduate in 1977 from Roanoke College and then computer college. Paul was an avid and accomplished photographer.

Survivors include his parents, Vernon E. Jones Jr. and Ethel Murray Jones of Suffolk.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, in Parr Funeral Home, 447 W. Washington St., Suffolk, by Dr. David H. Chauncey. Interment will be private.

Friends may join the family from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to the Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad at P.O. Box 1515, Suffolk, Va. 23439, or the First Baptist Church Family Life Center, 237 N. Main St., Suffolk, Va. 23434.