Maddie Deloise Vann, 89, of 216 Lee St., Suffolk, died Saturday, July 7, 2012, at her residence. She was a native of Suffolk, Va., and the daughter of the late Armstead Vann and Violet Vinnie Beverly Vann. She was preceded in death by a sister, Viola Claytee Lee; two brothers, Soloman McCoy Vann and Calvin Rudolph Vann.

She was the valedictorian of the class of 1939 from Booker T. Washington High School. She was a 1943 cum laude graduate at Virginia State College (now University) where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in English. She retired in 1980 after 37 years with the Suffolk City School System. She was a member of East End Baptist Church and was on the church history ministry, senior women sharing group, Bible Class II, and was given the esteemed title of Deaconess Emeritus on Feb. 17, 2005, after 22 years of faithful service. Other affiliations included: member of the Council of Negro Women, Booker T. Washington High School Alumni Association Scholarship Committee, The National Association of University and College Women. She loved to teach about the goodness of Jesus, the power of prayer, and English and literature. She loved Shakespeare.

She leaves to cherish her memory three nieces, Earlene L. Banks, Shirley E. Lee and Evelyn L. Wall, all of Suffolk; one nephew, James C. Lee, of Portsmouth, Va.; great-niece, Charlene B. Jones (Willie), of Suffolk; great-nephews, Mark E. Wall and Melvin K. Banks Jr. (Kinesha), both of Suffolk; great-great-nephews, Capt. Corey L. Banks, of Augusta, Ga., and ReShawn Rhoads, of Suffolk; great-great-nieces, Charnele Banks and Tomesha Banks, both of Suffolk; great-great-great-niece, Charniece Banks; one special first cousin, Evelyn B. Blount, of Suffolk; many other cousins and a host of friends. She also had what she called her guardian angel, Eugene Evans, of Suffolk.

A funeral service will be held at noon Saturday, July 14, 2012, at East End Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Mark A. Croston Sr. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the home of Ms. Evelyn L. Wall, 1213 Blythewood Lane, Suffolk. Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.