January 21, 2011

Gilma Byrd Slade, 83, passed away Jan. 21, 2011 at Laurels of University Park in Henrico County.

Born in Nansemond County, she was the daughter of the late Geta W. and Alvah C. Byrd. Gilma was predeceased by her son, Vernon W. Slade; and sister, Marguerite B. Orcutt. She was also predeceased by her former husband, William A. Slade. Gilma was a lifelong and faithful member of Great Fork Baptist Church, and worked at Norfolk Navy Yard as a typist, and worked at Franklin Paper Company. She started the reading program at Chorey Apartments.

She is survived by her daughters, Lee Slade White and husband, Butch, of Suffolk, Regina Slade Holt, of Richmond; grandchildren, Kelly V. Holt, Dylan Slade Holt, Jason Slade, and Shane Slade; great-grandson, Shawn Holt; niece, Susan O. Russo and husband, Matty; grandniece, Marguerite Taylor; and grandnephew, John Russo and family.

A graveside service will be conducted on Monday, Jan. 24, 2011 at 1 p.m. in the Great Fork Baptist Church Cemetery by the Rev. Dr. Donald Ray Jones. The family will received friends in the R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk, on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.