June 8, 2011

Ernest McCoy Demary, 72, of 309 ½ York St., Suffolk, died Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at Sentara Obici Hospital. He was a native of Whaleyville and the son of the late Helen Demary Skeeter and Ernest Demary.

He retired from Newport News Shipyard after 32 years of service.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ellen Armstrong Demary; four daughters, Sharon Armstrong Drewitt, of Virginia Beach, Cynthia Demary, Cheryl Holland, both of Suffolk, Paula Demary Thomas (Marc), of Charlotte, N.C.; one son, Corris McCoy Holland, of Suffolk; 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; eight brothers, Willie Whitaker, William Demary (Bridget), Jerry Whitaker (Phebe), James Watson (Tracy), Pastor Dennis Skeeter (Karen), Albert Skeeter (Glennis), Clifton Skeeter (Angela), all of Suffolk, and Delaware Skeeter (Darlene), of Temple, Texas; two aunts, Mazel Daniels, of New York and Ethel Reynolds, of Ahoskie, N.C.; five sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2011, at New Paul’s Temple Holiness Church of Deliverance, 720 Hosier Road, Suffolk, officiated by Pastor C.B. Skinner with Assistant Pastor W.E. Golden presiding. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.