Everette KETCHUM Sr.

GLOUCESTER - Everette Steelman Ketchum Sr., 98, died on Saturday, May, 8, 2010.
Born Feb. 15, 1912, in Elizabeth City County/Hampton, Va., he lived, worked and retired in the city of Hampton before moving to Gloucester with his wife of more than 50 years, Mary Etta Louise Hargette Ketchum, in 1981. As a young man, Everette and his brother, Ellsworth operated the family business, Ketchum's Dairy, suspending that operation during the depression years for employment with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. He later worked for the City of Hampton, where he retired with 33 years of service as a bailiff in the Hampton Circuit Court. He was respected and appreciated by family and friends as a source of wisdom for his many interests, including astronomy, mathematics, genealogy, calligraphy, beekeeping, sailing, and the rooting and growing of boxwood. Everette was a member of St. Tammany Masonic Lodge #5, A.F. & A.M. for more than 65 years, and a longtime volunteer at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Gloucester, Virginia, attending regularly as long as his health permitted.
Everette was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Steelman Ketchum and Rhoda Rollins Ketchum; his brother, Ellsworth Lewis Ketchum; his sister, Alberta Ruth Ketchum Raymond; his daughter, Anna Merle Ketchum; and his wife, Mary Etta Louise Hargette Ketchum.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Everette Steelman Ketchum Jr. and Arliss Elaine Steider Ketchum; three grandchildren, Sarah Elaine Ketchum Gobble and her husband, Eric of Richmond, Va., Rachel Suzanne Ketchum Teagle and her husband, Peter of Gloucester, Va., and Everette Steelman Ketchum III and his wife, Alysia of Colombia, S.C. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Ben, Nate, P.J., Jack, Sarah, Steelman, Anna and Mae.
A memorial service for Everette will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Gloucester, Va., on Tuesday, May 18, 2010, at 2 p.m. by the Rev. Dr. Douglas Nagel. The family will receive friends in the church following the service. A private graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Milford Rollins.
The family requests expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the Samaritan Group, Inc., P.O. Box 784, White Marsh, VA 23183, of to Gloucester Volunteer Fire and rescue, P.O. Box 1417, Gloucester, VA 23061.
Arrangements are by Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester, Va. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.