Suffolk News-Herald

Three seniors from Suffolk’s high schools have again been selected to receive scholarships from Chorey & Associates Realty. The $1,000 awards to each graduate are made in memory of the late Rozanne Brown, a former agent with the realty company.

William L. &uot;Billy&uot; Chorey said the scholarship bearing the company’s name is his way of memorializing a woman who was greatly loved by everyone who knew her.

The three recipients all expressed appreciation for the awards, each commenting that it has a special meaning to them.

Larry Smith, a senior at Lakeland High School, is the son of Penny Anne and James C. Smith, of the Holland community. Larry carries a 3.5 grade point average and plans to major in psychology at James Madison University this fall.

&uot;I am grateful to Mr. Chorey and his associates for this scholarship and I will do my best to live up to the honor of receiving Ms. Brown’s memorial scholarship,&uot; said Smith. &uot;This $1,000… well, it will definitely help out since college and everything connected with it has become so expensive. My parents truly appreciate this gift.&uot;

Brenna Wade, a Nansemond River High senior, is looking forward to teaching first grade students once she earns her teaching degree from Randolph Macon College. She is the daughter of Michael Wade of the Kingsboro neighborhood.

&uot;Randolph Macon costs $31,000 a year to attend and it’s hard to come up with that much,&uot; said Brenna. &uot;So, this gift is greatly appreciated. My mom died from cancer last year and it’s been hard. Of course, Ms. Brown, the lady for whom the scholarship is named, also died from cancer. This really has a special meaning for me.&uot;

As for Claire Alyse Leonard, a senior at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, the scholarship also bears a special importance.

&uot;I was honored to receive this scholarship, and it will be a tremendous help as I enter into school this fall,&uot; said Claire. &uot;It is deeply appreciated.&uot;

The daughter of Janice and Ted Leonard of King’s Fork Road, Claire will attend George Mason University, majoring in administration of justice, this fall.

Rozanne Brown was an agent with Chorey & Associates from 1992 to the springtime of 1997. Chorey said she died suddenly in July 1997, at the age of 51.

&uot;These scholarships are in memory of someone who was such a dear person and anyone who knew her absolutely loved her,&uot; said Chorey.

Jane Butler, Brown’s sister, said her sister did not suffer long, and that she never wanted to believe how ill she was. She also said it was devastating when she lost her sister.

&uot;I can only say that I am grateful for what Chorey Realty is doing for my sister’s memory,&uot; said Butler. &uot;She thought the world of Billy and the people she worked with. They were so good to her while she was sick. Billy and his family, in particular, were so wonderful. It is such a tribute to her that Billy wanted to do this.&uot;

Chorey added that throughout her career, Brown was a tribute to the real estate profession. He described her as outgoing, hardworking and dedicated to her career.

&uot;Rozanne had a sense of humor unmatched by anyone I have ever known, and everyone in the office and many of our clients still speak of her often,&uot; he added. &uot;Besides helping carry on Rozanne’s legacy, the scholarships will also be a great benefit to local students choosing to continue their educations.&uot;

Chorey anticipates the Brown legacy continuing for many years to come as more scholarships are presented to seniors.