Grace Eleanor DeLoatch, a Suffolk native, and retired educator from Richmond Public Schools System, went home to be with the Lord Oct. 28, 2005 in Richmond. She was preceded in death by her parents David and Inez Gray DeLoatch; her siblings, Arminta DeLoatch Goode, David Sr., Edward, and Quincy DeLoatch, all of Suffolk, and other loved ones.

Grace leaves to cherish her memory a devoted family that includes two sisters, Dr. Vasti DeLoatch and Delores DeLoatch Parker (Thurman) of Richmond; a sister-in-law, Essie Mae Riddick DeLoatch of Suffolk; a host of nieces and nephews: Cheryl DeLoatch-Frierson, Valerie Parker, Sharon Parker, and Karon Parker all of Richmond, Virginia, David W. DeLoatch Jr. (Georgianna) of Portsmouth, Dr. Sandra J. DeLoatch, Charles E. DeLoatch, Earl H. DeLoatch, and Gloria G. Branch (Kelvin Sr.) all of Suffolk, and Johnny L. DeLoatch (Marie) of Forestville, Md., a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews, including a devoted great-niece, Danielle Ashley DeLoatch Frierson of Richmond and great-nephew, Maxwell L. Jamison, Jr. of Raleigh, N.C. and a host of other relatives and friends.

A wake that includes the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Memorial will take place at 6 p.m. today at Watkins Funeral Home Community Chapel, 2700 North Avenue, Richmond. A funeral will be held at noon Nov. 2 at All Souls Presbyterian Church, 19 Overbrook Road, Richmond with the eulogy conducted by Rev. Ulysses Payne. Interment will take place at 11 a.m. Nov. 3 in Carver Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to All Souls Presbyterian Church, 19 Overbrook Road, Richmond, VA 23222.