Rufus Allen Strothers, Sr.

On August 10, 2021, GOD called His beloved Rufus (Allen) Strothers, Sr. home to take his rest. He was born on April 10, 1941 in Nansemond County, VA to the late Beacher D. Strothers and the late Annie Rachel Whitfield Strothers. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Strothers, a daughter, Valerie Strothers, a son, Michael Strothers, one sister, Emilie Strothers Butler, and three brothers, William Simmons, Calvin (Leon) Strothers, Sr., and Jackie Strothers. He is survived by four sons, Rufus Allen Strothers, Jr., Rodney Strothers, Keith Cunningham, and Thomas Jones, twelve grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one brother, Rutherford (Ulysses) Whitfield, three sisters, Cecile Cherry, Carolyn Johnson, and Brenda Cofield, two sister-in-laws, Marlene Simmons and Glorine Strothers, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Allen attended Suffolk Public Schools where he graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1960. His employers included Bradshaw Drug Store, Newport News Shipyard, and a long tenure at Norfolk Naval Base where he retired after 43 years of service. His longtime church membership included Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Portsmouth, VA where he served as the chairman of the Trustee Board for many years. A public viewing will be held Wednesday, August 18, 2021 from 12 Noon to 7pm in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel. A celebration of life will be held Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 12 Noon in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. Mr. Strothers will be laid to rest in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rufus Allen Strothers, Sr., please visit our flower store.