On Thursday, July 21, 2011, while at home in Gloucester, Va., after fighting a good fight, finishing her race and keeping the faith, God called home his beautiful servant and worshipper, Sis. Delores T. Hunter. She began her journey on this side of the Jordan on May 20, 1942 in Baltimore, Md., to her biological parents, Mr. Clifton Tongue and Ms. Hazel Johnson. She was raised by her foster parents, the late Mr. Daniel and Mrs. Mary Roane of Gloucester.
Delores Hunter was a 1961 graduate of T.C. Walker High School. She was employed by Gloucester High School as a nutritionist where she retired on July 1, 2007 after 30 years of service. Delores also assisted with her husband in the family catering business along. She also worked at Morgan’s Drug Store for a short period. Delores was always very supportive of her family and a dedicated mother who never missed any of her children’s programs, activities or functions. She was a lifelong and faithful member of New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Gloucester, and she also attended Wayland Baptist Church in support of her late husband and Oak Grove Baptist Church, Williamsburg, under watch care.
She was anointed by God to sing praises to His Holy name. This year, Delores would have celebrated her 36th anniversary of singing gospel music. Her signature songs include: "I Love to Praise Him," "Since I Met Jesus," and "That’s Enough." Delores sang with the following choirs over the years: New Mount Zion Community Choir, Wayland Baptist Church Gospel Chorus, Friendship Baptist Church W.J. Hilton Mass Choir, Jeffrey Burrell Community Choir, Oak Grove Baptist Church Mass Choir, and she was an honorary member of God’s Chosen Servants ensemble. She was constantly called on to sing solos for church programs, anniversaries, weddings and funerals. She was an active daughter of the IPBOE of the World Colonial Temple #380 Williamsburg.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon Hilton L. Hunter Sr.; both her parents and foster parents, and one sister; Thelma Telcide of Baltimore, Md. She is survived by her loving children: two daughters, First Lady Vanessa D. Keller of Hampton, Va., and Deaconess Angela Jones of Gloucester; one son, Staff Sergeant Hilton L. Hunter Jr. of Gloucester; one daughter-in-law, Vernice D. Hunter; two sons-in-law, Pastor Steven L. Keller and Deacon Derek A. Jones; 10 grandchildren: Stephan, Carl Jr., Tierra, Ciara, Jessica, A’sannah, Brianna, Antoine, Michael and Tyrell; two sisters: Ann Kelly and Shelia Johnson; one brother, Clifton Tongue of Baltimore, Md.; four sisters-in-law: Audrey Hunter, Faye Hunter, Sandra Hunter and Joyce Tongue; one brother-in-law, Carroll A. Hunter, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and a dear friend and companion, Mr. Ron Estreet.
The family wishes to thank her caregivers at the Riverside Hospice Center, Riverside Rehabilitation Center, Bay Transit and the Bay Aging Senior Center.
Viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2011, at Newington Baptist Church, 6169 Main Street on Route 17, Gloucester, Va. 23061. Homegoing services will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Newington Baptist Church, officiated by Pastors John Wright and Steven Keller. Interment will follow in Windsor Gardens Cemetery in Gloucester, Va.
Funeral arrangements by J. K. Redmond Funeral Home of Shacklefords, Va. 23156.