July 28, 2013

May Belle Vann Johnson, 92, of Suffolk, went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 28, 2013.

She was the daughter of the late Dempsey Vann and Pearl Briley Vann of Nansemond County. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, James Earl Johnson; brothers Otha Lee Vann and Dempsey Vann Jr.; and sisters Selma Ellis, Erma Bell, and Helen Vann.

She retired from The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company of Suffolk and was a member of First Baptist Church of Suffolk.

She is survived by two devoted daughters and beloved sons-in-law, Earlene and Kermit Hobbs and Judy and Bobby Brinkley, of Suffolk. She had four loving grandsons and their wives, Rob Brinkley, of Suffolk, the Rev. Michael and Denise Brinkley, of Eure, N.C., Neil and Heather Hobbs, of Forest, and Wade and Lori Hobbs, of Mooresville, N.C. She had 10 great-grandchildren, and another is expected in August. She is also survived by a sister, Margaret Hoffman, of Hampton, and a brother, John W. Vann, of Portsmouth.

A funeral service will be led by Dr. Thurman Hayes and the Rev. Michael Brinkley at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 31, at R.W. Baker and Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk, with interment to follow at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2013. Friends and family are invited to the home of Earlene and Kermit Hobbs after the service.

The family appreciates memorials of flowers, or contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 237 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434 for building renovations, or to Cypress Chapel Christian Church, 1891 Cypress Chapel Road, Suffolk, VA 23434.

Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.