Mr. Phillip Michael Artis, Sr. 27, of 1500 block Wilcox Ave. Portsmouth, Virginia died August 15, 2004 at his residence. A Suffolk native he was a son of Debbie Artis and Michael Saunders.

He attended Suffolk City Schools and had completed three years of apprentenceship at the Norfolk Naval Base as a plumber. He was a member of Palm Tree Baptist Church.

Besides his parents, he leaves to cherish his memories; wife, Tasha Jordan Artis; three sons, Michael Jordan, Phillip Artis, Jr., both of Portsmouth and Cameron Artis of Chuckatuck; four Sisters, Tiffany Artis of Suffolk, Jessica Mayfield and husband Glenn of Atlanta, Ga., Amy Cross and Aurelia Saunders both of Suffolk; two Brothers; Michael Cross and Nickolas Saunders of Suffolk; his maternal grandmother Mrs. Frances Artis of Suffolk; his paternal Grandparents; Mr. James Pond, and Mrs. Anne Saunders of Suffolk; aunts, Alice F. Artis, Linda Artis, Annette Saunders, Sandra Saunders, Phyllis Faulk all of Suffolk, and Helen Mitchell of California; his uncle Ronald Saunders of Suffolk, and a host of other relatives and friends.

The funeral service will be held Sunday Aug. 22, 2004 at 2 p.m. in Palm Tree Baptist Church by Rev. William Wiggins. Interment will be held in Mt. Sinai Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the home of his mother Ms. Debbie Hawk on Mineral Springs Road. Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of the arrangements.

Simeon Judson Nixon Jr.

Simeon Judson Nixon Jr. (Jud), 80, of Henrico Co. died Wednesday, August 18,

2004. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Onnie Jennette Nixon. Mr. Nixon was the son of Bessie Owen Nixon of Danville and Simeon Judson Nixon of Edenton, N.C. and Suffolk. He was born in Danville, and at an early age, his family moved to Suffolk where he made lifelong friends. He attended Suffolk schools, and among honors, was selected on several All-State football teams. Upon graduation, Mr. Nixon served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and saw action in the Pacific Theater. Upon discharge from Navy, he attended the College of William and Mary and was awarded a B.A. degree in Business Administration. While in college, he married Onnie. He was a member of the Sigma Rho fraternity, Baptist Student Union, the Order of the White Jacket, Varsity Club and other college activities. Mr. Nixon was a member or the &uot;Glory Days (1946-49) Football Teams.&uot; Upon graduation, he was employed by the Sinclair Refining Co. He later joined the Pure Oil Co. which merged with Union 011 Co. of California now UNOCAL. He retired from UNOCAL in 1985. He had a great time and worked with some wonderful people.

Mr. Nixon was active as a leader with Boy Scouts for 14 years, serving in all the troop roles of Troop 742. Mr. Nixon was a charter member, past president, life member and a Melvin Jones Fellow in the Richmond West Breakfast Lions Club. Mr. Nixon was the author of &uot;The Great Art of Tailtwisting,&uot; a Lion publication. He had been a Lion for 45-plus years, and found great satisfaction in serving Lionism.

He was a member of Second Baptist Church, Lodge of Strict Observance No. 207, AF&AM, the Scottish Rite, the Tuckahoe YMCA, and was an accomplished woodworker and gardener having received a degree in agriculture from VPI & SU. Mr. Nixon is survived by a daughter, Nancy Nixon Lee of Henrico Co.; a son David Judson Nixon; daughter-in-law, Diana Via Nixon; two grandsons, Daniel Judson Nixon and Thomas David Nixon, all of Gum Spring; a sister, Juanita Nixon Daughtry of Suffolk; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, great in-laws and special friends. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 West Broad St. where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The Interment is at 3:30 p.m. in Holly Lawn Cemetery, Suffolk, Va. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Second Baptist Church, Gaskins and River Rd., Richmond, Va. 23229

Percy Franklin Russell Sr.

Percy Franklin Russell, Sr., 83, of the 5100 block of Nansemond Parkway, passed away on Aug. 18, 2004.

Born in Sunbury, NC, Percy was a retired assistant manager with Upton Farms, Inc. and a member of Berea Christian Church.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Dorothy W. Russell, daughters, Nancy R. Owens and husband, H. Edgar, Peggy R. Taylor and husband, Johnny; sons, Percy F. Russell, Jr. and wife, Becky, and Thomas Ray Russell and wife, Stephanie all of Suffolk ; 10 grandchildren,

three great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, August 21, 2004, at 11:00am in Berea Christian Church, Suffolk by Rev. James Smelley and Rev. Robert J. Bennett.

Burial will follow in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens.

Friends may join the family at Harrell and Hill Funeral Home, Suffolk this evening from 7 to 8:00 p.m.

and other times at the residence.

Family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Berea Christian Church, General Fund, 4109 Driver Lane, Suffolk, VA 23435