Hersey Trafton

Hersey Everett Trafton CHESAPEAKE - Hersey Everett Trafton, 67, passed away July 3, 2010 from cancer while recovering from a debilitating stroke in 2008. He was at home in Union, Ky., surrounded by his loving family. Hersey was a lifelong resident of Chesapeake, born in South Mills, N.C., to the late Frank L. Trafton and Margie Forehand Trafton Stallings. In 2006 his beloved mother went home to be with the Lord, we now know that they are united once again. We all shall hope to see them again someday. Hersey always considered Chesapeake his home even though he remained in Kentucky with his wife, daughter, and grandchildren since 2007. He retired from the Ford Assembly Plant in Norfolk, after 42 years of service. He was an avid sports fan and he especially loved the Philadelphia Philly's and NASCAR. He was a beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. Left to cherish his memory is his devoted wife, Mary Frances of Union, Ky., originally, from Norfolk; his three children, son, Anthony Stroud and partner Julian Whitlock of Norfolk; daughter, Kris Marie Newhouse and fiancé Michael Martin of Florence, Ky.; son, James D. Stroud and wife Andrea of Fontana, Calif.; six grandchildren, A. J. Marchand, Robert Lee Burley, Genesis N. Newhouse, Taylor A. Newhouse, Conor R. Stroud and Shannon C. Stroud; great-grandchild, Amora Lynn Marchand; his dear sister, Ann T. Johnson and her husband, Ralph of Chesapeake; nephew, Randall Johnson and his wife, Sarah of Concord; and his very dear friends, Butch and Fay Tenbusch. Hersey was also a dog lover and left behind Bubba Boo, (Irie) the family pet of 16 years. His family would like to thank the staff of Villasprings Rehabilitation Facility of Erlanger, Ky., for never giving up on the man who never gave up on any of us. Hersey's generosity and his ability to never meet a stranger will always be remembered. A funeral will be held Thursday, July 8, at 7 p.m. in Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake. A graveside service will be held at Rosewood Memorial Park, Virginia Beach on Friday, July 9, at 11 a.m. Please light a candle and leave a note to the family in his "Book of Memories" at www.grahamfuneralhome. com.