Ernest Long, 86, passed away on December 26, 2023. Born June 1, 1937, Ernest was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Stuttgart, Germany. During the military, he was on the Army boxing team, winning the light heavyweight championship, and skydiving team, with over 400 jumps in his career. Because of his experience playing the saxophone, he was asked to train his fellow soldiers in how to march, and because of his experience as a lineman for Southwestern Bell, he was asked to train soldiers in how to climb and repel down telephone poles. Our condolences to his wife of 61 years, Marquita, his children Brian and Anita and their families.

Dell Rowntree passed away on January 10, 2024 in the 74th year of his life. Born on January 6, 1951, First Lt. Dell Rowntree, USMC-USARNG, was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Russian Language. An avid fisherman, he enjoyed fishing with his family and riding go carts with his kids. Predeceased by his parents and his sister, he is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Beth Nagy-Rowntree, his brother, his children Byron, Carl, Lily, Thomas and Vivian, and his granddaughters. Our condolences to all. Donations in his honor may be made to Hartford Healthcare at Home Hospice Care.

Vaughn Howard Russell passed away on January 23 at the age of 58 in Lakeland, Florida. Vaughn formerly lived in Hampton, the son of Louise Russell and the late Philip Russell. A 1984 graduate of Parish Hill High School, Vaughn served in the military before starting his own trucking business. In recent years he became an over the road driver. Along with his mother, he leaves his wife, Billie Jean, a brother John and wife Deborah of Hampton and a sister, Gayle LaFlamme and her husband Carl, as well as a niece, nephews, aunts and cousins. Our condolences to Vaughn’s family; he will be missed.