Viola Suber

Mrs. Viola "Baby Sis" Dugger Suber, 77, of 1513 Oakdale Ave., Petersburg, Va., departed this life Monday, Oct. 27, 2008 at the Battlefield Park's Golden Living Center.

Viola was born Dec. 28, 1930 to the late Robert and Viola Dugger. She received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age at Bethany Baptist Church of Petersburg. She devoted many years of her life in service to Bethany as a faithful member of the choir and many other organizations.

She grew up in the Blandford area of the city among her many siblings and friends, graduating from Peabody High School in 1948. She was a Civil Service employee for many years with the United States Air Force, 20th NORAD, Fort Lee, Va. In her later years, she joined Metropolitan Baptist Church where she continued her Christian service as church trustee, treasurer and member of the senior choir.

Viola was renowned for her cooking and sewing skills. She had a "green thumb" and loved working in her flower gardens. Well known for her love of style and fashion, she especially loved wearing the latest hats. Most of all, she cherished her family and friends. She never tired of nurturing and caring for them.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Corporal Raymon Chatmon; brothers, William Green, James, Walter and John Dugger; sisters, Margaret and Rosa Mae Dugger, Doris Jones and Josephine Johnson; and stepson, W. Clifton Suber.

Viola leaves to cherish her memory, her loving and devoted husband of 37 years, Joseph. J. Suber Sr.; seven children, Annette Clarke (Davey), Denise S. Harrison (Eric), Joseph J. Suber Jr., Sharon A. Chatman, Suitland, Md., Patricia D. Suber, Yvette M. Bailey, and Andre' Chatman; two brothers, Norman T. and Charles A. Dugger; two brothers-in-law, Wilbert S. Suber "Uncle Bill," Washington, D.C. and Bernard Johnson, Detroit, Mich.; four sisters-law, Theresa and Margaret Dugger of Baltimore, Md. and Bennie M. Splawn and Sarah L. Gore, San Bernadino, Calif.; 23 grandchildren, Sonja, Davey Jr., Tanisha (David), Alysia (Denny), Crystal, Duane (Jaeda), Andrea, Christopher Jr., Joquelette, Andre', Antonio, Antwan, Conrad Jr., Stephen, Tierra, Ricky, Tiffany, Dana, Alandre', Avonte', Andre' Jr., Amari, and Ajah; 12 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008, at 2 p.m., at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1021 Halifax St., Petersburg, with the Rev. William N. Bland, Jr, officiating.

A wake will be held Friday, Oct. 31, 2008, from 7 to 8 p.m., at William N. Bland & Son Funeral Home, 137 Harrison St., Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-7841.

The family will also receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008 at the home of her son, Andre Chatman, 1112 Farmer St., Petersburg, Va. (804) 605-0276.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the staff of William N. Bland & Son Funeral Home.