07/01/08

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Paul Everett Flood, Flood Pontiac co-owner
Paul Everett Flood, 73, of Rehoboth Beach and Bethesda, Md., co-owner of one of the longest-lasting auto dealerships in Washington, D.C. and real estate broker in Rehoboth, died of complications of leukemia Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at Casey House in Rockville, Md.
Mr. Flood, with his brother, John M. Flood and brother-in-law, John D. Talbott, inherited Flood Pontiac Co. from his father in 1935. Once it was the only place in the area where people could buy the luxurious Rolls Royce autos and Checker taxicabs. The business was sold in 1980. Mr. Flood moved to Rehoboth Beach in 1985 where he sold real estate with Crowley Associates Realty Inc.
Mr. Flood was born in Washington, D.C. in 1935. He attended the Landon School and was graduated from Sidwell Friends School. He attended the University of Delaware before graduating from the University of Maryland and also attended Harvard Business School.
He entered the car dealership started by his father after serving in the Delaware Air National Guard. While serving in the Air National Guard, he was proud of breaking the sound barrier in 1958. His professional and business memberships included the Downtown Rotary Club in Washington, D.C., where he served as a secretary and membership director as well as a member of the Army-Navy Club in Washington. An enthusiastic golfer, Mr. Flood was a member of Columbia Country Club and the Rehoboth Beach Country Club where he enjoyed playing golf.
Having been brought up in a car environment, he was an auto afficianado and had a special passion for his late-model Thunderbird convertible. Mr. Flood was a member of the Wesley Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. Besides being an avid reader, Mr. Flood could often be found playing chess and other board games with the grandchildren he loved so much. Although later in life his maladies slowed him down a bit, he never lost his enthusiastic spirit.
Mr Flood is survived by his wife of 45 years, Margaret Zaumeyer Flood; two daughters, Lesley Dial (Rob) of Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J., and Jennifer Dover (Marty) of Damascus, Md.; and four grandchildren, Ashley Flood, Courtney and Cameron Dial and Dorothy Dover. He also is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Ellen Flood Talbott (John), of Chevy Chase; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carol and Bernie McCarthy of Potomac, Md. His brother, John M. Flood, died in 1981.
A celebration of his life was held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C.. Interment was in Parklawn Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to New Covenant Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 19331 Lighthouse Plaza Blvd., Unit 2, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971; or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, National Capitol Area, 5845 Richmond Highway, Suite 800, Alexandria, VA 22303.

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Richard Swartout, retired priest
Richard Swartout, 75, resident of Laurel and Cadbury at Lewes, formerly of Snow Hill, Md., died Sunday, June 29, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes,
Richard was born in Niagra Falls, N.Y., the son of the late Chester and Agnes (Kok) Swartout. He served in the U.S. Navy.
He was an Episcopalian priest, retiring in 1995. He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Reliance, Md., and the Shriners of Baltimore; president and founder of the Silver Eagles; and also a member of the Elder Moments at the Academy of Lifelong Learning in Lewes.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Wilson Swartout.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Karen Hanson Swartout; children, Markus Richard Swartout of Deland, Fla., and Theresa Elaine Boos and her husband Lt. Shawn T. of Ft. Bragg, N.C.; four grandchildren, Jenni Karisa Swartout, Kyle James Swartout, George Richard Boos and Samuel Lee Boos; a sister, Sally Eldridge of Iowa; and extended family, Patricia Karasick McKinnon of California and Shirley Pinder Cook of Florida.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 5, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Pine and Academy streets Georgetown. Burial will be private.
Contributions may be made to: Shriners Hospital for Children, 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140; or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Organ Fund, P.O. Box 602, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.

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Kendal B. Prettyman, community activist
Kendal Barker Prettyman, 85, of the Country Rest Home in Greenwood, died Saturday, June 28, 2008.
Mr. Prettyman, a native of Lewes, the son of William Olva and Lottie Spicer Prettyman, lived in Georgetown for about 50 years before returning to the Lewes area in 1995. He had most recently resided at Martin Lane in Rehoboth Beach prior to a severe stroke in February 2002. He was a 1941 graduate of Lewes High School. After this, he worked in a civilian support position at Fort Miles under the U.S. Army Engineers for about two years before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps, Fifth Division, at the height of World War II.
He participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima as a mortar gunner and was involved in the occupation of Japan until being honorably discharged in 1946 as a corporal. Mr. Prettyman joined the Army Reserves as a corporal in 1949 and spent time training at Fort Bliss, Texas. He retired from the Reserves in 1983 with the rank of major.
Upon returning to the states after the war, he worked as parts manager for the Henlopen Motor Company in Lewes (later Don Gallagher Motors) for 11 years until a fire destroyed the business.
Mr. Prettyman then went to work as a loan officer for Georgetown Trust, which was later acquired by Wilmington Trust Company. He served 32 years with the company, retiring in 1989.
Mr. Prettyman was past president of the Sussex Chapter of the American Institute of Banking (A.I.B.) and served as chairman of the A.I.B. National Publicity and Publications 1965-66.
He was very involved in the activities of his children. Mr. Prettyman was a past treasurer of the Sussex Central High School Band Boosters. He served nine years in the positions of president, trip coordinator and chief fundraiser for the Sussex Central Junior High Band Boosters. He was also a past treasurer for the Sussex Central Senior High and Junior High Wrestling Boosters.
Mr. Prettyman served as treasurer of the Georgetown Little League for 25 years. He served as secretary of the Union Cemetery in Georgetown from 1968 to 2002.
Mr. Prettyman was a past treasurer of the Georgetown branch of the Salvation Army. He was an original charter member of the Delmarva Easter Seals and was involved with the formation of the Central Sussex United Fund, later called United Way, and also volunteered at the Sussex Pregnancy Care Center and with Meals on Wheels.
Mr. Prettyman was a life member of VFW Post 9264, Fifth Marine Division Association, Marine Corps League, which includes Department of Delaware and Diamond State Detachment. He held the title of Pedigreed in the Military Order of the Devil Dogs, which is the Honor Society of the Marine Corps League. Mr. Prettyman also received the Legion of Honor and The Chapel of Four Chaplains citations.
He was a past member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Lewes and a past member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Georgetown. While at Wesley, he had served in the positions of Sunday school superintendent, chairman of the trustees, chairman of the finance committee and president of the Methodist Men. He became a member of the Lewes Church of Christ in 1995. His first wife of 45 years, Jeanette R., Prettyman, died April 15, 1993.
Survivors include his wife of 13 years, Genevieve B. Prettyman, of Rehoboth Beach; sons, Ray K. and wife Linda of Largo, Fla., Keith R. of Georgetown, and Ralph W. and wife Andrea of Milford; daughter, Beth P. Berrie and husband Charles of Hartly; stepson, Richard T. Burton of Selbyville; stepdaughters Cheryl Skinner and husband Richard of Magnolia, and Carol Dukes and husband Joseph of Frankford; eight grandchildren, Erica E. Jarmon and husband Steve of Phoenixville, Pa., Tabitha A. Prettyman of Hartley, Jacob W. Prettyman of Little Heaven, Zachary E. and Alyssa R. Prettyman of Milford, Dalton M. and Sawyer R. Berrie of Hartly, and Austin J. Prettyman of Largo; one great-grandson, Addison R. Prettyman; five step-grandchildren, Richard Skinner III and wife Alison, Lee Skinner and wife Erin, Alisha White and husband Travis, Crystal Dukes, and David Dukes and wife Olga; and five step-great-grandchildren, Domenick, Logan, and Ava Skinner, and Kierstin Dukes and Alec Dukes.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, July 6, at Bethel United Methodist Church, W. 4th Street, Lewes, where a viewing will begin at 2 p.m. Graveside services and burial will immediately follow at Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Lewes, with full military honors.
Contributions may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. 4th St., Lewes, DE 19958; or to the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes, DE 19958; or to the Milford Historical Society, PO Box 352, Milford, DE 19963. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Enterprises, Lewes.

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Virginia M. Rust, sub shop owner
Virginia M. Rust, 93, of Harbeson, died Wednesday, June 25, 2008, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
Virginia was born in Millsboro, daughter of the late Annias W. Hickman and Viola T. Hickman.
She was the owner of Virginia’s Sub Shop.
Virginia enjoyed gardening.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Rust, in 1979.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Lloyd and Gloria Rust of Harbeson; two grandchildren, Phillip Short and his wife Angela of North Port, Fla., and Lisa Justice and her husband Michael, Milton; and two great-grandchildren, Nicolina Short of North Port and Kenna Justice of Milton.
Funeral services were held in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, Milton. Interment will be in Harbeson Cemetery.

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Sam Mussoff, World War II veteran
Sam Mussoff, 85, of Rehoboth Beach, died Thursday, June 26, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
Mr. Mussoff over his career time had owned and operated a family shoe store, worked as a supervisor for a chain of Ladies Sports stores and most recently as a credit manager for Amtrak. He had served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Devotion to his wife and children was paramount.
He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., son of the late David Mussoff and the late Leah Sachs Mussoff.
He is survived by his wife, Lenore Mussoff; his daughters, Teddy Bair and her husband Harold of Long Neck, and Jody Mussoff and her husband Christopher Wilson of Riverdale, Md.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 2, at the Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call one hour prior to services. Private burial will follow at Delaware Veterans Cemetery, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963; or to Seaside Jewish Community, PO Box 1472, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

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Barbara M. McBride, community volunteer
Barbara Mullen McBride, 76, of Millville, and formerly of Alexandria, Va., passed away Saturday, June 28, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
She was a loving wife and mother whose greatest joy was spending time with her family. She enjoyed her time as a volunteer for St. Ann’s Bazaar, assisting with the bingo at Shady Grove and helping with the readings for the visually impaired. Her friends and family will miss the delicious cakes she made for them and the many volunteer groups.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Mullen and Josephine Mullen Wells, and her two brothers, Joseph and Karlin Mullen.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Byron Meredith McBride of Millville; four daughters, Bonita McBride of Clarksville, Donna Nugent of Alexandria, Va., Joanne McBride of Alexandria, and Penny Deith and her husband Roger of Ocean View; two grandchildren, Sgt. Jason Nugent of Texas, U.S. Army, and Kelly Nugent of Alexandria, and two great-grandchildren. Jason Nugent Jr. and Madison Nugent.
Friends are invited at 9 a.m., Tuesday, July 1, to the Melson Funeral Home, West Avenue, Ocean View. A memorial mass to be held at St. Ann’s will follow at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in her memory be made to the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation, 6707 Democracy Blvd., Suite 325, Bethesda, MD 20817.

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Charles Hurd, retired truck driver
Charles Hurd, 82, of Lewes, went to be with his heavenly father on Friday, June 27, 2008, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, after a brief illness.
Charles was born and raised in Felton, son of the late Mary and Charles W. Hurd.
He moved to Lewes 42 years ago with his wife Beverly and their two sons, Rafe and Matthew. He wanted to be near his younger brother, Buck, so they could go clamming at Massey’s Landing. Charles was a truck driver for many years, driving for several companies including Preston Trucking, Hudson Feed and Grain, and most recently Dressco of Lewes. He was a member of the Lewes Presbyterian Church and had served in the Army during World War II under the command of General George Patton, serving in Germany, France and other parts of Europe.
Charles had a woodshop in his back yard where he spent most of his time with best friend and youngest son Matt and beloved grandson Dain and neighbor Dave.
Charles was preceded in death by two grandbabies, Madison and Christian; a daughter, Patricia; four sisters, Ruth Hurd, Thelma Ford, Hazel Brummund and Marie Jenkins; and one brother, Leonard “Buck” Hurd.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Beverly; seven sons, David of Angel Camp, Calif., Mark and his wife Donna of Greenwood; Adam of Milford, Rory and wife Mary of New Castle, Daniel and his wife Jennifer of Milford, Rafe and his wife Joanne of Millsboro, and Matthew and his wife Dawn of Lewes; two daughters, Susie Burris and her husband Willie of Milford and April of Milford; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister, Mary and her husband Roland of Milford; a brother, Howard of Louisiana; sister-in-law, Lois Hurd of Lewes and brother-in-law Harold Jenkins of Louisiana; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 1, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, with the Rev. Harry Hughes officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to services. Interment will be at the Lewes Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Lewes.
Contributions may be sent to Lewes Presbyterian Church Restoration Fund, 133 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958.

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Jamie Lee Hembree, loved being an uncle
Jamie Lee Hembree, 22, of Georgetown, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2008, in his home.
Jamie had attended Southern Delaware School of the Arts and Sussex Central High School.
He loved spending time with his nieces and nephews, and enjoyed working outside and being outside.
Jamie is preceded in death by his grandparents, Molly Hembree and James Hembree, Tennessee, and Mark Pusey, Georgetown.
He is survived by his parents, Laura R. Pusey and James Hembree Jr., of Georgetown, with whom he lived. Jamie is also survived by five brothers, William Pusey, Jovan Hembree and Mark Hembree, all of Georgetown, Michael Hembree of Allentown, Pa., and Timothy Hembree of Smyrna; two sisters, Brenda Breasure of Millsboro and Mary Emory of Allentown, Pa.; Uncle Frank and Aunt Pearl Tallent of Georgetown, Uncle Leo, Uncle Gerald and Uncle Odel, all of Tennessee; and Uncle Guy Pusey of Pennsylvania; several cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of good friends.
All services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the funeral home to help defray expenses.
Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.

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Ruby Viola Fitchett, active in church
Ruby Viola Fitchett, 82, of Philadelphia, as she lived she made her transition to eternal rest peacefully and calmly after a lengthy illness, Monday, June 23, 2008, at University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
She was born Dec. 27, 1925, daughter of the late Horace and Viola Fisher.
At the age of 3, Ruby and her siblings moved to Easton, Md. She received her education in the public schools of Easton.
Ruby’s Christian experience came at an early age when she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was endowed with the Holy Ghost.
Although she was very young, she was extremely active in the church and was quite involved in kingdom building. Her work was unceasing and devoted to Christ.
In the church Ruby served on many auxiliaries. Her greatest joy was serving as president of the pastor’s aide committee.
She was deeply concerned with the well-being of God’s shepherds.
Ruby served faithfully and diligently as president of the pastor’s aide committee under the leadership of the late Elder Bessie Washington, Bishop Rose Thomas, Elder Marion Nelson, Bishop Nathan and Pearl Moore.
She was the epitome of unrelenting determination. Even after her health began to fail she continued to serve as president of the pastor’s aide of St. James Pentecostal Church.
Many called her Mother and she took this role seriously. She was always willing to lend a helping hand.
On Aug. 27, 1950, Ruby Viola Fisher was united in holy matrimony to Harry Fitchett. This union was blessed with six children, Harry Jr., Ida, Carlos, Robert, Cynthia and Alexander.
Ruby also cared for and helped to raise several of her nieces and nephews.
Not only has Ruby portrayed her gifts of love throughout the church, but she was a devoted, loving and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend whose first priority was the welfare and happiness of her family.
Ruby was very family oriented and always cherished family gatherings and the opportunity to spend time with her loved ones and friends. Many lives were touched by her kindness and hospitality.
Ruby leaves to lovingly cherish their memories her loving, devoted husband of 58 years, Harry M. Fitchett; two daughters, Ida M. Fitchett of Georgetown and Cynthia Fitchett-Nelson of Philadelphia; four sons, Harry M. Fitchett Jr., Carlos J. Fitchett (Barbara), Robert E. Fitchett and Alexander P. Fitchett (Pinkie) of Philadelphia; 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Henry Smith of Philadelphia; one sister, Laura Robicshaw of Philadelphia; two sisters-in-law, Marie McNeal of Milton and Johnna Mae Smith of Philadelphia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren and friends.
Funeral services were held in St. James Pentecostal Church, 41st and Ludlow streets, Philadelphia.