Deacon Columbus Benjamin Kearney went home to be with the Lord on Aug. 29, 2016.

He was born in Tarboro, N.C., on Jan. 10, 1925, to Ida Griffin and Philuster Kearney Sr. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was retired from Obici Hospital and Lipton Tea for numerous years. He was a devoted member of Metropolitan Baptist Church, where he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher and the Usher Ministry.

He is survived by his wife, Rosa Kearney; sons, Dwight Druitt (Lilly), Bernard Kearney; daughters, Cynthia Carter (Howard), Hope Boykins (Lloyd), Amanda Cooke (Robert) and Barbara Druitt; brother, Lewis Kearney (Bernice); sister, Iola Patterson (Billy); nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and host of other relatives.

A celebration of life will be held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, at Metropolitan Baptist Church. Dr. Robert Hobbs will deliver the eulogy. He will be laid to rest in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. The family will assemble at 11:30 a.m. at 515 Chisholm Lane, Suffolk, for the procession. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.