John Henry Eley

John Henry Eley, Jr.John Henry Eley, Jr. was born on December 18, 1949 in Nansemond County to the late John Henry Eley, Sr. and Leola Bradley Eley. He departed this life on March 24, 2014. He was preceded in death by his brother, Elmer L. Eley; sister, Flora C. Locust.John graduated from John F. Kennedy High School, Suffolk, VA in 1967 and he obtained his first Bachelor’s degree from John C. Smith University in 1971. While at John C. Smith, he joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He later obtained post graduate degrees at various academic institutions including the University of Virginia, William and Mary and Old Dominion University.Education and the pursuit of education were very important to John. As the Education Director for the City of Suffolk Jail, he worked to help rehabilitate inmates by teaching them to read and write and offering G.E.D. programs for over 14 years before retiring.John will be greatly missed as he was a loving son, brother, and uncle. He loved to play his piano and work in his garden. He frequently entertained family and friends playing his piano. All who ever met John knew that he was the “life” of the party.He is survived by his mother, Leola Bradley of Hampton, VA; brother, Michael N. Eley (Carrie) of Colton, CA; sister, Regina Eley Tynes of Hampton, VA; aunts, Annie Mae Eley, Julia Bradley, and Viola Eley of Suffolk; very special friends, Louvenia Milteer of Suffolk and Valerie Hill of Newport News, VA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2014 at Antioch United Church of Christ officiated by Rev. Jarvis Jones, Pastor. Interment will be held at Carver Memorial Cemetery. A wake will be held before the service at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Henry Eley, please visit our flower store.