Mildred Ballentine Sorrell

Mildred, ?Snookie,? Ballentine Sorrell, a lifetime resident of Portsmouth, died on Sunday, February 20th at Maryview Nursing Care Center in Suffolk. Born on March 15, 1920, Mrs. Sorrell lived in Prentice Park and Glenshellah where she raised her two sons. Born to William Thomas Ballentine and Sarah Nee Ballentine, she was the youngest daughter in a family of ten. One of her sisters, the late Ellen S. Ballentine, served the City of Portsmouth for a record tenure of 51 years as, among other duties, the Assistant City Auditor. Other siblings who predeceased Mrs. Sorrell include: Kathryne B. Morris; Sadie B. Kennett; Doris B. Mays; Jane B. Eley; William T. Pete Ballentine, Jr.; and Ralph Ballentine. Mrs. Sorrell attended Robert E. Lee Elementary School in Prentice Park and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1937. After high school graduation, Mrs. Sorrell used her secretarial skills in banking, but she was most proud of her support of the war effort and her tenure on the night shift in the Supply Department of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard during the early 1940s. Besides raising her two boys, Mrs. Sorrell hosted nieces and nephews and whipped up Saturday morning pancake specials. She lovingly devoted herself to caring for sick family members. Her positive personality was evident most recently at Maryview Nursing Care Center, where her smile, fashion, and friendliness did not go unnoticed by visitors and staff alike. A serious diabetic for years, Mrs. Sorrell would always get a good laugh when her admirers metaphorically quipped, ?She is the sweetest lady I know.? Mrs. Sorrell was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. Survivors include: two sons and two daughter-in-laws, Lt. Col. ret. Richard H. Sorrell and Sherry Johnson Sorrell of Huntsville, Alabama; Dr. Michael R. Ron Sorrell and Ginny O. Sorrell of Virginia Beach, Virginia; grandchildren, Christine S. Copeland and her husband Robert Copeland of Huntsville, Alabama and Richard David Sorrell and his wife Michelle Sorrell of Tupelo, Mississippi, and Michael R. Sorrell, Jr., currently a second-year student at the University of Virginia; great-grandchildren, Rebecca Copeland, Bobby Copeland, Cody Copeland, Skylar Sorrell, and Landon Sorrell. Mrs. Sorrell is also survived by a sister, Marguerite B. Cuthriell, and a brother, John S. Ballentine and his wife, Eleanor P. Ballentine, all from Portsmouth, and many other nieces and nephews. She was a woman of faith. Before her declining health, Mrs. Sorrell, a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Chesapeake, attended and participated regularly. Most recently she was a Sunday worshipper with her friends and Pastor Chuck Leavitt in the chapel at the nursing center. The family wishes to thank the Reverend Dr. Larry Adams and the church family of Aldersgate, especially those involved in the outreach ministry to shut-ins and the elderly, for their years of faithful ministry. Affectionate gratitude is extended to Dr. Terry Yarbrough, Pastor Chuck Leavitt and the superb staff of the Chesapeake Unit of Maryview Nursing Care Center, and the staff of 3-South Unit of Maryview Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted on February 24th at 11:00AM by the Revs. Larry Adams and Chuck Leavitt in Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 4320 Bruce Road, Chesapeake, VA. Internment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday evening, February 23rd, from 7 to 8 PM at Loving Funeral Home in Portsmouth. Expressions of sympathy and memorial donations may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or to Chapel Programs at Maryview Nursing Care Center at 4775 Bridge Road, Suffolk, VA 23435, or to the American Diabetes Association Research foundation, Attn: Margaret Walker, 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311.

Mildred Ballentine Sorrell

March 15, 1920 - February 20, 2005