December 14, 2010

Sandra “Jeanette” Mayfield, first lady of Little Zion Baptist Church, Suffolk, Va., lived with and endured sickle-cell anemia, which is a hereditary disease, all her life. She was born in Carrsville, Va., on Jan. 11, 1955 and departed this life on Dec. 14, 2010 at her home. On her good days, she enjoyed the love of her family, husband, children and grandchildren. She enjoyed shopping, eating seafood and fellowship with her church family. At an early age, Sandra accepted Christ and joined Pulaski Baptist Church. She was a member of the choir and served on the usher board, until her union with Pastor Keith Mayfield, and at that time she joined Little Zion Baptist Church. One of her greatest joys was teaching the youth to praise dance.

Sandra was the co-founder of the Southside Sickle-Cell Support Group and a proud foster parent for over 13 years. She had the ability to smile and laugh during the mist of a sickle-cell crisis. A very loving and kind spirit was shared with all who knew her. God knew in his sovereign plan He wanted her to come home to be with Him. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Sandra was born to the late Herbert Rawls and the late Cora T. Rawls. She was preceded in death by her sister, Beverly Rawls.

Sandra leaves her loving and devoted husband, the Rev. Keith Mayfield, pastor of Little Zion Baptist Church of Suffolk; her children, Jerome “Roc” (Shelly) Ricks, of Portsmouth, Yashica Edwards, of Suffolk, Keith Mayfield Jr., of Atlanta, Ga., Tomika (Shawn) Eley, of Suffolk, Laketa (Yushunta) Speck, of Chathem, La., Travis Chalk, of Suffolk, Katora Chalk, of Suffolk, Mary Chalk, of Newport News, Va., Tyron Long, of Newport News, Va., Joshua Bynum, of Fredericksburg, Va., Stephanie Bynum, of Suffolk, Damien Chalk, of Suffolk, Trovias Mayfield, of Suffolk, and Aaron Perkins, of Suffolk; four brothers, Herbert (Vernell) Rawls, of Baltimore, Md., Melvin (Carolyn) Rawls, of Portsmouth, Ray (Thelma) Rawls, of Trenton, N.J., Terry (Tammy) Rawls, of Carrsville; one sister, Nadirah Sharif, of Charlotte, N.C.; mother-in-law, Mary Johnson, of Suffolk; three brothers-in-law, Herman (Cornelia) Mayfield Sr., of Suffolk, Donald (Marchelle) Mayfield Sr., of Suffolk, and Kevin Mayfield, of Chesapeake; three sisters-in-law, Adell (William) Peoples, of Suffolk, JoAnn (James) White, of Chesapeake, and Teresa (Chris) Moore, of Portsmouth, Va.; one uncle, Roger Boone, of Carrsville; 23 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, among them two devoted cousins, Tony McClenney, of Chester, Va. and Elsie “Sis” Jackson, of Suffolk; and a devoted friend, Ethel “Lou” Babb, of Suffolk.

Funeral services will be held at noon, Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 at Pulaski Baptist Church, 6431 Carrsville Highway, in Carrsville, Va. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.