Obituary Examples & Samples

Margaret Elizabeth Thompson, 78, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born on June 12, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Helen Johnson. Margaret graduated from Springfield High School in 1963 and earned her Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Illinois in 1967. She dedicated 35 years to teaching elementary school children, touching countless lives with her patience and compassion. Margaret was known for her warm smile, generous spirit, and unwavering devotion to her family and community. Margaret married her beloved husband, James Thompson, on August 20, 1968. Together they built a beautiful life and raised three children. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, volunteered at the local food bank, and enjoyed gardening, reading, and traveling with her family. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, James Thompson; children Sarah (Michael) Davis of Denver, Colorado, Robert (Jennifer) Thompson of Springfield, Illinois, and Lisa Thompson of Chicago, Illinois; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, William Johnson. A memorial service will be held on March 20, 2024, at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 123 Main Street, Springfield, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Springfield Education Foundation in Margaret's memory.

Our beloved husband, father, and friend, Michael "Mike" Rodriguez, age 62, passed away unexpectedly on February 8, 2024, doing what he loved most – working in his garden. Mike was born in San Antonio, Texas, on September 3, 1961, to Maria and Carlos Rodriguez. Anyone who knew Mike knew his infectious laugh, his terrible dad jokes, and his ability to fix absolutely anything with duct tape and determination. After graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mike moved to Austin where he met the love of his life, Susan, at a coffee shop where he spilled coffee on her favorite book. They married two years later, and Mike always said it was the best accident of his life. Mike worked as an engineer for 30 years but his real passion was his family and his garden. He grew the most beautiful tomatoes in the neighborhood and was always ready to share both his harvest and his gardening wisdom. He coached little league baseball for 15 years, never missing a game or practice, even when work tried to get in the way. Mike is survived by his wife of 35 years, Susan Rodriguez; his children Jessica (David) Martinez and Ryan Rodriguez; his four beloved grandchildren who called him "Abuelo Mike"; his mother Maria Rodriguez; and countless friends who will miss his stories, his generosity, and his bear hugs. A celebration of Mike's life will be held on February 15, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Sunset Community Center, 456 Oak Street, Austin, Texas. Please wear bright colors – Mike never liked black, and he'd want us to celebrate. In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree or donate to the Austin Community Garden Project.

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our bright and beautiful daughter, Emily Grace Chen, age 24, who left us too soon on January 12, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. Emily was born on April 7, 1999, in Seattle, Washington, to David and Linda Chen. From the moment she could walk, Emily was always moving – dancing, running, exploring. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Washington with a degree in Environmental Science, driven by her passion to make the world a better place. Despite her young age, Emily lived more fully than many people twice her age. She backpacked through Europe, volunteered at three different animal shelters, learned to speak four languages, and could make anyone laugh even on their worst day. Her friends often said Emily had a way of making everyone feel like they were her best friend. Emily faced her illness with the same courage and optimism she brought to everything in life. Even during treatment, she continued advocating for environmental causes and started a blog that inspired thousands of people around the world. Emily is survived by her parents David and Linda Chen; her younger brother Kevin Chen; her grandparents Thomas and Joyce Wong; her boyfriend of three years, Alex Johnson; and a vast network of friends who became family. A memorial service will be held on January 20, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the University of Washington Chapel, followed by a celebration of life at Green Lake Park, where Emily spent countless hours. Please bring a memory to share. Donations can be made to the Emily Chen Environmental Scholarship Fund at the University of Washington.

Colonel (Retired) William Henry Davis, USAF, 89, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, passed away on November 11, 2023, Veterans Day, which seemed fitting for a man who dedicated his life to serving his country. Born on December 1, 1933, in rural Kansas, William was the son of Henry and Dorothy Davis. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952 and served with distinction for 30 years, including tours in Korea, Vietnam, and Germany. He retired as a Colonel in 1982, having earned numerous decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, and Air Medal with oak leaf clusters. After his military retirement, William continued his service as a civilian contractor and later volunteered extensively with veterans' organizations. He was instrumental in establishing the local Veterans Memorial and spent countless hours helping fellow veterans navigate benefits and healthcare. William married his high school sweetheart, Patricia "Pat" Johnson, in 1954. Together they raised four children while moving to bases across the country and overseas. Pat often joked that she married both William and the Air Force, but she wouldn't have had it any other way. William was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and patriot. He loved flying (both in and out of the cockpit), woodworking, and telling stories about his adventures around the world. He never met a stranger and had an incredible ability to connect with people from all walks of life. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Patricia Davis; children Colonel (Retired) Robert Davis (Linda), Susan Davis-Miller (James), Carol Davis-Thompson (Michael), and Major (Retired) Patricia Davis-Jones (Steven); 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and the countless lives he touched through his service. A military funeral service will be held on November 18, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Arlington National Cemetery. A local memorial service will be held on November 16, 2023, at 2:00 PM at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 789 Military Highway, Virginia Beach, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or your local Veterans Affairs office.

Dr. Angela Marie Washington, 71, beloved physician, community leader, and advocate for healthcare equality, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2024, at her home in Detroit, Michigan. Born on February 14, 1952, in Montgomery, Alabama, Angela was the daughter of Rev. James and Nurse Ruby Washington. She was inspired by her parents' dedication to serving others and carried that spirit throughout her remarkable life. Dr. Washington graduated from Howard University College of Medicine in 1978, becoming one of the few African American women physicians in Detroit at that time. She opened her family practice clinic in an underserved neighborhood, where she treated patients for over 40 years, often accepting payment in the form of homemade meals or garden vegetables when money was tight. Beyond her medical practice, Dr. Washington was a force for change in her community. She founded the Detroit Community Health Initiative, served on the board of three local nonprofits, and mentored dozens of young people pursuing careers in healthcare. She was instrumental in establishing the city's first mobile health clinic and fought tirelessly for accessible healthcare for all residents. Angela married her college sweetheart, Attorney Marcus Washington, in 1975. Together they raised two children and opened their home to countless others, including several foster children and international medical students. Dr. Washington received numerous awards for her service, including the Detroit Medical Society's Lifetime Achievement Award and the NAACP's Community Service Award. However, her greatest pride came from the thousands of patients whose lives she touched and the community she helped heal. She is survived by her husband Marcus Washington; children Dr. Marcus Washington Jr. (Dr. Keisha Washington) and Attorney Angela Washington-Brown (David Brown); five grandchildren; her sister Nurse Joyce Washington-Smith (Dr. Harold Smith); and a community that will forever be grateful for her dedication and compassion. A homegoing service will be held on April 10, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 1234 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. A celebration of her life and community service will follow at the Detroit Community Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Angela Washington Community Health Fund or the Detroit Community Health Initiative.