Lois E. Vincent

Mrs. Lois Edwards Vincent took her heavenly flight early in the morning on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. Mrs. Vincent was born on November 11, 1931 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Herbert Edwards and Clara Smith-Edwards. She along with her twin was the eldest of 5 sisters. Mrs. Vincent matriculated through the Philadelphia Public School system, graduating from South Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1950. In 1951 she married the late James W. Vincent, after marriage she relocated to Nansemond County (Driver, VA). She was employed in her earlier years at George & Steve’s restaurant and the Naval Transmitter Station, Driver, VA. Mrs. Vincent was a long time resident of the Sleepy Hole/Driver Community where she was a devoted mother, grandmother and friend to all. During that time she established friendships with the people of Driver that lasted a lifetime. In 1982, Mrs. Vincent relocated to the Wilson Pines Apartments where she resided for 30 years. Throughout that time she became a stand out in the community, where she served as the President of the Civic League and worked diligently in various capacities to ensure the quality and safety of the neighborhood. She took on the role as the self-proclaimed “Neighborhood Watch.” Mrs. Vincent sat in her window daily and knew just about everything that was going on around Wilson Pines. Some would describe that as “being nosey”, but she just wanted to be aware of all that was happening. She nurtured many neighborhood children and was affectionately known to them as “Grandma Vincent.” To know Mrs. Vincent was to truly love her. She was known to be a “feisty” woman. She would certainly speak her mind and “tell it like it is.”  However, it was always done in love, she was a kind and loving soul that would do anything to help someone in need whether she knew them or not. Mrs. Vincent had a smile that would light up a room; she was a jewel to all that knew and loved her.

Mrs. Vincent was an active member of Oak Grove Baptist Church for many years serving on the Senior Usher Board, the Widows club, and also assisted with the “Tots” children’s Choir” until her health began to decline. She loved her Pastor and her church family.

Mrs. Vincent was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Vincent, her step-daughter, Linda Vincent-Meltzer, 2 sons Anthony Vincent and James (Bossman) Vincent, 2 sisters, Ruby Edwards and Evelyn Heath. She leaves to cherish her memory her children Barbara Vincent of Philadelphia PA, Rodney Vincent (Karen) of Philadelphia, PA, Herbert Vincent of Suffolk, VA, Cassandra Reid of Virginia Beach, VA, Lois Mayfield of Chesapeake, VA, and Orlando Vincent (Karin) of Newport News, VA, her God-daughter, Sheryl Williams of Portsmouth, VA; 2 sisters, her twin Louise Smith of Brooklyn, NY and Gloria Edwards of Philadelphia, PA; 18 grandchildren; Shante Demary (Silas),  Tamnequa McIntyre (Leonard), Shakiya Whitaker, Danny Reid,Jr., Derricca Wilkins,  Shahidah Vincent-Bates (Daniel), Rodney Vincent Jr., Tonya Gray, Tony Reid, Likisha Pruden, Tiffany Whitfield (Fritz) , Sierra Vincent, Tameka Moore, Tramayne Giles, Jalen Vincent, Brandon Vincent, Terry Vincent, Shawnricka Mitchell;31 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and special friends.

A celebration of life will be held 12:00 noon Monday, August 22, 2016 at Oak Grove Baptist Church. Dr. Copeland will deliver the eulogy. She will be laid to rest in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens.Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc.