Earl L. Ingram

1923 - 2021

Earl Leroy Ingram, 97, peacefully left this life on Wednesday, December 8th, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was reunited in heaven with his wife of 48 years, Josephine (Josie) Pokorny Ingram, his wife of 18 years, Martha Cornett Ingram, his daughters, Serce Marie Maynard, Joelle Therese (Joty) Smith and his son Christopher Paul (Tahdy) Ingram. Left to cherish his memory are his sons, Marty Ingram (Stacey), Gino Ingram (Sharon), Nino Ingram (Gretel), his daughter Rosa McElroy (Kevin), his grandchildren, Jackie Ingram, Jessamyn Maynard, Richard Maynard (Rachel), Aaron Smith (Alex), Linwood Smith (Leslie), Anthony Smith (Renee), Shannan Barber (Matt), Erin Bass (Jon), Kevin McElroy (Shannon), Therese Langman (Jon), Nathan Hess, Mateo Ingram, along with 23 great-grandchildren.

Earl was born on December 11th, 1923 in Anderson, IN to Chester and Leona Ingram. Following his parents' death at the age of 5, he was raised in an orphanage until he joined the Navy at age 17. He was stationed onboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4) in Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. Earl was a veteran of WWII and the Korean War and deployed throughout the Pacific and Mediterranean during his long, distinguished career. The Navy brought him to Virginia Beach in 1965 where he settled to raise his family. After 28 years of service, he retired in 1968 as a Lieutenant, LDO. He continued supporting the Navy through several defense contractor positions, traveling the world with his wife Josie, through assignments in Germany and Japan, as well as numerous assignments throughout the US. Once fully retired, they settled in Clearwater, FL to enjoy the warm winters. Several years following Josie's death, Earl married Martha, spending 18 years together. Although beginning their marriage in Clearwater, they ultimately moved to Dade City, where they received a great deal of love and support from Martha's son Mike Cornett and his wife Tony. Following Martha's death, Earl moved back home to Virginia Beach to be close to his family. He spent his final years at Our Lady of Perpetual Help where he enjoyed daily visits from his daughter. Earl always had a smile on his face and was forever grateful to all of his family and caregivers. He set a wonderful example of living life to the fullest. The family would like to thank all of the caregivers at Our Lady of Perpetual Help for the loving, compassionate care they provided to him for almost three years.

The family will receive guests before a Catholic Celebration of Life Mass on Tuesday, December 21st, at 11:30 am at Church of the Ascension in Virginia Beach. Mass will commence promptly at 12:00, immediately followed by internment at Rosewood Memorial Park. Mass will be live streamed from Church of the Ascension VB's facebook page. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that a memorial gift be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Residents Council Fund at 4560 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.