CHARLES ELLIS

Charles Ellis, better known to most as Hooker, beloved son of Anna Mae Ellis and the late Ernest Ellis, departed this life on Friday, June 22, 2012, at Obici Memorial Hospital in Suffolk, Va.

Charles attended Sussex County Schools. He lived for a short period of his life in New York, but later returned home to Wakefield, Va. Charles was employed by Virginia Diner. He had this great love of baseball and dance. He could dance circles around anyone.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Queen Gwaltney, and two sisters, Ester and Ethel Johnson.

Charles leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Anna Mae Ellis; four daughters, Vickie Croaker, Katina Parker and Ashley Sykes of Ivor Va., Stacey Gwaltney (Irvin) of Wakefield, Va.; two sons, William Gwaltney and Biko Gwaltney of Washington, D.C.; a host of grandchildren; four sisters, a twin, Charlean Jones, Margaret Eley (Norris), Angelane Ricks (Clarence) and Juanita Jones (Jerl); six brothers, Ernest Ellis, Melvin Ellis (Linda), Calvin Ellis (Debra), Milton Ellis (Linda), Jerome Stringfield (Jean) and Robert Lee Johnson (Cookie); an aunt Thelma Stringfield; an uncle Valles Johnson (Dora); nieces, nephews and friends, among them is a devoted niece, Erica Johnson-Short (Felix), and two very devoted friends, Wallace Tonkins (Effie Mae) and Allen Tonkins. Charles AKA Hooker will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him.

A celebration of life will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2012, at Pochantas Temple Baptist Church, 10234 Branch St., Wakefield, Va., with the Rev. Lewis Allen officiating. Interment will be in Booker T. Washington Memorial Park, Wakefield, Va. There will be a visitation from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, 2012, at Pocahontas Temple Baptist Church. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the home of Mrs. Anna Mae Ellis, 10317 Penny Lane, Wakefield, Va., at noon the day of the service. Arrangements by Tucker's Funeral Home, 415 Halifax St., Petersburg, Va.; the Rev. Antonio A. Tucker Sr., funeral director.