Nelson Gregory Cuffey

Nelson Gregory Cuffey, born July 18, 1969, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Amanda Nelson Cuffey and the late Sonnie Greene Cuffey, departed this life Sunday, September 12, 2021. Greg, as he was affectionately referred to, grew up in a fun loving home with his three siblings, Sonnie G. Cuffey, II, Bryant I. Cuffey, and Candice Cuffey Edwards, in Smithfield, Virginia. He began his political career there as Class President at Smithfield Elementary School. His campaign slogan was, "If you want to stand on the right leg, Vote for Greg!" His family later moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School with honors. He was very active in "The Marching Presidents" band where he was a master of the "Quad" drums and often had solo performances. Greg was a young scholar that was also active in an array of civic organizations and social clubs such as "The Gents".
After graduating from high school, Greg attended Virginia State University where he majored in Biology. He always had a passion for and excelled in Math and the Sciences. After graduating, he began his career at the Swedish company, Alfa Laval Thermal in Richmond, Virginia. He was a dedicated employee for 10 years and enjoyed several trips to Sweden as part of his job duties. Because of his lifelong love of learning and teaching, he decided to follow his true passion and acquired his teaching certification. His first teaching position was at Petersburg High School where he jumped in head first on a mission to ensure that his students benefited both in education and by having their spirits uplifted. Greg also taught at Peabody Middle School for a short time before coming full circle back to Petersburg High, which he was most happy to do.
After the school day ended, Greg was oftentimes still teaching and mentoring. He also helped students who were placed in the homebound program. He enjoyed encouraging them and helping them stay on track with their academics. Additionally, he served as the Petersburg High School Golf Coach, encouraging students to give golf a chance and excel in a sport that was new to them. With his leadership, the team often competed in State Championships. During his summer breaks, Greg was always busy teaching STEM classes with the Upward Bound program at Virginia State. It was with this opportunity that he seized the awesome occasion to inspire students to follow their dreams in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
To further cement his dedication to education and to his community, Greg served as a City Councilman, Vice Mayor, and Auxiliary Sheriff for the City of Hopewell. His most recent act of dedication to the city was serving as the Hopewell School Board Chairman where he had been a member since 2015. Greg believed strongly in volunteering and providing opportunities for youth in education. He demonstrated this further by serving on the Appomattox Regional Governor's School Board of Directors and the John Tyler Community College Board of Directors. His service continued as a loyal member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Greg was inducted into this illustrious fraternity as #4, Fall 2005, through Delta Omega Chapter, Petersburg, Virginia.
Greg was baptized into the Church of Christ and became a committed member of the Arlington Road Church of Christ in Hopewell, Virginia. He worked diligently from the beginning, serving in many capacities including ministry leader, bible class teacher, prison ministry, church event organizer, youth mentor, tutor, and later as a Deacon. When he had the opportunity to preach, he always said, "I have a joke, a sermon, and a poem." He laughed so hard telling the joke that he could barely get the punchline out. He exemplified true servanthood in the kingdom & community.
In the midst of his life journey Greg met Samara T. Moore. They became one on July 26, 1997. To this union two children were born, Gregory McCoy and Kennedy Alexis.
He was preceded in death by his father, Sonnie G. Cuffey. He leaves to cherish precious memories a wife of twenty-four years, Samara Moore Cuffey; one son, Gregory of Williamsburg, VA; one daughter, Kennedy of Richmond, VA; his mother, Amanda Cuffey of Hopewell, VA; two brothers, Sonnie Cuffey (Rhonda) of Bristow, VA, and Bryant Cuffey of Varina, VA; one sister, Candice Edwards (Craig) of Chicago; two sisters-in-law; Sonya (Darryl) and Sheri (Tim); nephews, Travis, Julian, Eli, Enoch, Ethan, Zeke, and Landyn; nieces, Eden and Loni; two brotherly friends, Greg "Big Time" Harris and Kevin McBride, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, cherished friends, Church of Christ family, fraternity brothers and acquaintances.
Love and Remembrance will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Hopewell High School, 400 S Mesa Dr., Hopewell, VA., 23860, Dr. James Michael Crusoe, pastor, Arlington Road Church of Christ, Hopewell, VA, eulogist.
The funeral arrangements for Mr. Nelson Gregory Cuffey have been entrusted to the professional staff of Bland Funeral Homes, 137 Harrison St., Petersburg, VA., 804.732.7841. www.blandfuneralhomes.com
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