July 13, 2011

SUFFOLK, Va. — Wallace Ray Doughtie, 89, of Whaleyville Boulevard, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2011, in Sentara Obici Hospital.

Mr. Doughtie was born in Gates County, N.C., and was the son of the late Jesse and Arvilla Lang Doughtie. After 35 years of faithful service, he retired from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Shop No. 72, working first as a diver, rigger, and later as the production shop planner. An active member of Reynoldson Baptist Church, he served his Lord through the church in many capacities, and served his country with the Army during World War II. A member and past master of McAlister Masonic Lodge in Whaleyville, he loved coon hunting with his pastor, grandchildren and friends, and the happy years at his little place on the Chowan River, which he shared with many people. To sum his life up in words would be to say that his greatest joys, other than his wife and family, would be helping others and serving his church and community.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Wallace Ray Doughtie Jr., and sisters, Sarah Evans and Adell Cowper.

Left to cherish his memory are his faithful and loving wife of 69 years, Ruth Byrum Doughtie; a daughter, Sandra Edwards (Frankie), of Franklin, Va.; two sons, Stuart Doughtie (Ann), of Suffolk, and Michael Doughtie (Sarah), of Gates; a sister, Jessie Ree Cutrell, of Windsor, N.C.; two brothers, Bradford Doughtie, of Eure, N.C., and J.C. Doughtie, of Ahoskie, N.C.; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Saturday at 5 p.m. in Reynoldson Baptist Church by the Revs. Todd Higginson and Billy Presley. Masonic rites will be accorded by McAlister Lodge. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may join the family Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main St., Gatesville, N.C., and all other times at the residence.

Memorial contributions may be made to either Reynoldson Baptist Church, in care of Charles Cale, 8353 Longstreet Lane, Suffolk, VA 23434 or the Whaleyville V.F.D., 6235 Whaleyville Blvd., Suffolk, VA 23438.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.