Fred Meredith Minchew, 79, went to be with the Lord on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2017. He was a native of Rome, Ga., and the son of the late Minnie Lee and Emerson Minchew.

Fred was member Suffolk Masonic Lodge No. 30, the Khedive Shrine Temple, the Southeastern Cushman Club and the Cushman Club of America. Fred was a graduate of Cincinnati College of Embalming, class of 1960. He was the former owner of Sidney F. Harrell Funeral Home, Suffolk, from 1981-1995. After selling his funeral home, he again became associated with Loving Funeral Home, Churchland, and remained so until his death.

Fred was predeceased by the love of his life, Susan P. Minchew, and his mother-in-law, Verna S. Ballard. Fred is survived by his daughter, Gay Thompson and husband, Gregory; son, F. Michael Minchew; grandchildren, Chase Ashland Thompson and Aliyah Ann Thompson; sister-in-law, Deborah P. Stahr and husband, James; brother-in-law, James E. Phelps; nieces and nephews, Heather L. Meekins and husband, William, Dana P. Olah, Jason R. McCallister and wife, Jennifer, Robert F. Stahr III and Jamie S. Phelps.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in Loving Funeral Home with burial to follow at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends in the funeral home from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Fred and Sue were great supporters of the HER Shelter in Portsmouth and he requested memorial contributions to the HER Shelter (Help & Emergency Response Inc., PO Box 2187, Portsmouth, VA 23702) in his memory. Condolences may be made online at www.LovingFuneralHome.com.