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Obituaries
Verna Mae Fox
Verna Mae Fox, was born in Beaufort, North Carolina and lived most of her life in Williamsburg, Virginia. She passed away at home on May 13, 2023, lovingly surrounded by family.
Verna Mae was born on March 5, 1949, to Ola Mae Ellis Parnell and Clarence Allen Parnell. She was the youngest of sixteen children. Verna attended James Blair High School in Williamsburg. She welcomed her first son, Timmy Sheppard in 1967. Verna Mae married Howard Fox on November 3, 1972. Together they welcomed sons Jody and Jamie Fox.
As a resident of James City County for over 60 years, Verna Mae spent over thirty-five years as a school bus driver. She loved working with children and touched many hearts of the families she worked with. Verna Mae’s greatest love and joy was her family. She was known to always put everyone ahead of herself.
Verna Mae was proceeded in death by her parents and twelve siblings.
She is survived by her husband, Howard Fox; sons, Timmy Sheppard (Mechelle Sheppard), Jody Fox, and Jamie Fox (Jenn Sears-Fox); siblings, Frances Cobb-Little, Eugene Parnell, Malcolm Parnell; as well as ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many other family members.
Verna Mae will be desperately missed by all those that she’s left behind. Our hearts are so broken by this loss. She was an “angel on earth” as her grandchildren shared. To be loved by her was to be truly blessed.
A special thank you to Riverside Hospice, from whom Verna Mae received loving care.
Please celebrate Verna’s life with us at her graveside service, held Monday, May 22, 2023, 3 p.m. at Peninsula Memorial Park, Newport News VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
10 Comments
I’m sooooooooo sorry for your loss sending prayers to you Howard and your family at this tender time.
Aunt Verna Mae, the most loving and caring person you could ever meet.. lots of wonderful memories with this lady. Ageless beauty, always there if you needed her… I will always love and miss you for the rest of my days… hugs and prayers to Howard, Timmy, Jody, Jamie and all their kids… There will never be anyone like her❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏
I am deeply saddened to hear of Verna Mae’s passing…she was a beautiful person inside and out…I have lots of fond memories of her and all her family…our family was friends with the Parnell girls for years and with their spouses and children…my heart goes out to Howard, Jody, Jamie, Timmy, Frances, Kim,
Teresa and all the rest of her family…May God comfort you all…she is a blessed angel now in Heaven…she will be missed dearly by many…God Bless you all 💖 🙏✝️
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Verna Mae. She was always such a sweet woman inside and out. My heart goes out to Howard, her children and her grandchildren. She will truly be missed by many. She was an Angel on earth and now an Angel in Heaven. Her pain and suffering is over. RIP 🙏 as you watch over your family from Heaven. Many Prayers go out to her family as they go through this very difficult time. 🙏🙏 🙏 🙏 Much love and God Bless you all. 💔
Angel on earth now Angel in Heaven ❤️
So very sorry Howard but just know that she is at peace now my friend.
Doris & I are so sorry to hear of Verna’s passing. May she find eternal peace.
Be strengthened in the Lord Howard, by the promises of His Word. Jesus said in JN 6:63 “ the words I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life “. God bless
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Verna Mae! She will be missed by all who knew her. Verna had a heart of pure gold and the world is a better place because she was here. Verna Mae is now in the loving arms of Jesus!
I’m so sorry to hear of Verna Mae’s passing. She was such a sweet and loving woman. My deepest condolences to the family, especially Howard and Frances.