Vernon Ivey

Vernon Ivey NORFOLK - Vernon Ivey, 87, went to be with the Lord June 27, 2009. He was born July 15, 1921, in Erwin, Tenn., and married Hildred Ann Dougherty on April 19, 1941. Mr. Ivey enlisted in the Navy May 11, 1939, and retired Feb. 1, 1969, as a boilerman technician master chief petty officer. He was one of the first three promoted to this new rate in 1959. During his Navy career, he served aboard nine ships: The USS Arkansas (on which his brother also served), USS Warhawk, USS Huntington, USS Newport News, USS Hazelwood, USS New, USS Macon, USS Galveston, and the USS Little Rock. Before World War II, he was on convoy duty in the North Atlantic, and made several trips to Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, and Muransk, Russia. During World War II, Mr. Ivey was present at the invasions of North Africa, Normandy, France, the Omaha Beachhead, including the Battle of Cherbourg, Southern France, Sicily, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. After World War II, he served in Australia and the South Pacific. He was present in Tsingtao and Shanghai and he saw duty in the Korean War. Mr. Ivey did two tours of recruiting duty in Lima, Ohio, and Princeton, W.Va. His last tour of duty was officer in charge, Court Section, Shore Patrol Headquarters, Norfolk. He also retired after 15 years of service with the City of Norfolk at Granby High School. Mr. Ivey was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Hildred Ann Ivey; son-in-law, Larry B. Rowe Jr.; one brother; and three sisters. Left to cherish his memory are his son, Vernon Edward Ivey; daughters, Brenda A. Rowe, Jackie D. Morrisette and husband Donald, and Louise I. Humphrey and husband Eddie; sister, Louise Meade; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-grandson on the way. The celebration of his life will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, in Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Norfolk Chapel. The visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, in Forest Lawn Cemetery with full military honors. You may pay condolences to the family at www.mem.com.