Delores A. Boyette

Delores Annie Solone Brinkley Boyette was born in Nansemond County, Virginia on February 16, 1943. She departed this life on September 2, 2021 at the Sentara Obici Hospital, Suffolk, VA. Delores was the eldest child of the late Benjamin Crocker Brinkley, Sr., and the late Maggie Solone Bryant Brinkley. Delores grew up on 8th Street in the Norfolk Road section of Suffolk. She was educated in the East Suffolk Public Schools and a graduate of Anne’s Beauty College, Norfolk, VA. Delores accepted Christ at an early age. For years she had been a faithful member of the Tabernacle Christian Church, formerly Tabernacle United Church of Christ, Suffolk, VA. There she served in the capacity of a Trustee, on the Senior Usher Board and on the Culinary/Kitchen Staff. At the time of her passing, Delores was a Member of the Zion Community Christian Church, Suffolk, VA serving as a member of the Greeters/Ushers Committee. She truly loved her church. In her earlier years, Delores worked as a waitress at Leroy’s Grill, located on the “Fairgrounds” just beyond the railroad tracks of Washington Street, Suffolk, VA. In the mid 70’s, Delores moved on to work on the SD Assembly Line at the General Electric (GE) Company, Suffolk, VA. There she became a “Sub” elevating her to the status of a Lead Line Operator. Also, during this time to further her education, Delores attended Anne’s Beauty College, Norfolk, VA at night completing her studies in Cosmetology. After leaving GE, Delores became a fulltime and life long hair stylist. Like so many stylists back in the day, she started out doing hair in her home becoming the neighborhood hair stylist and Beauty Shop, especially during the Easter season. Over the course of her career as a hair stylist, her travels took her all over the Eastern Seaboard attending hair shows and other industry events. She came in contact with and met so many interesting people. Through the years, Delores led a vibrant and full life. She was a member of two social/service organizations: The Chi-lettes Club and the Sigma Philos performing scholarship fundraisers and service projects in various Suffolk communities. Prior to her declining health, Delores worked for the Suffolk City Public Schools in various capacities mainly in the cafeteria becoming a “Cafeteria Lady”. She never let hard work hold her back. She was always ready to volunteer where she could. During local and national elections, Delores worked the polls for many years. She always looked forward to election time because there she met other poll workers who would go on to become dear friends. Delores was the Matriarch of her family and was known by several different names by all who knew and LOVED her. Mom, Mama, Ma, Gran Gran, Grandma Lois, Miss Dee, Lucy and of course Lois, just to name a few. Delores Loved her family dearly and would do anything for them. She Loved all people and people Loved Her. She enjoyed reading the “Upper Room” every morning and also her favorite Scripture Psalm 27. She was a master at doing word search and working on jigsaw puzzles. Delores was quick wit and sharp till the end. In addition to her parents, Delores was also preceded in death by her sister, Vanessa Brinkley King, brother Alton Brinkley and sister-in-law Marsha H. Brinkley. Delores’ memory will forever live on in her Daughters Pamela Boyette Clark (Van, Jr.) of Durham, NC and DeAndrea Boyette, of Suffolk, VA; Sister Margaret Brinkley Young, Bronx, NY; Brothers Benjamin C. Brinkley, Jr. (Rita), Suffolk, VA and Calvin Brinkley, Newport News, VA; Grandchildren JaVonda Boyette, Nicholas Evans (Valencia), Reginald Evans (Rocio), TaSheba Bivins (Jamar), 2nd Lieutenant Eric Evans (US Army) and adoptive Grandson, QuMontae Byron; Great Grandchildren DaQuan Boyette, Keontae Boyette, Jaylen Boyette, Kamari Boone, KeShawn Parrish, Christian Evans, Jeremiah Evans, Julian Evans, Adrian Evans, Kai Evans, Kaison Boyette and Jamar Bivins, Jr.; Great Great Grandchildren, Tynezsa Johnson, Kaiden Johnson, Karson Johnson; Uncles Alton Bryant (Sissy) Sunbury, NC, Wilbert C. Bryant, Suffolk, VA, 3 Step-Grandchildren and 6 Step-Great Grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, the Old Norfolk Road Crew, Her Posse and Special Lifelong Friends (Frances Twitty, Carolyn Skinner, Bessie Kee Newsome, Velma Warren, Vivian Vaden, Joyce Stagg) and the Zion Community Church Family who will miss her dearly. There will be NO PUBLIC VIEWING for Ms. Boyette. A celebration of life will be held 11:00 am Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Balm Church East Campus, 523 East Washington St. Suffolk, VA 23434. Bishop Ben Fitzgerald will deliver the message of comfort. Ms. Boyette will be laid to rest in Nansemond-Suffolk Cemetery, 1421 King's Fork Rd. Suffolk, VA 23434. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. Our Chain is broken And nothing seems the same But as God calls us one by one The chain will link again To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Delores A. Boyette, please visit our flower store.