Marcella Rawls

  General Notes:

Japheth Edward Saecker - Worcester County Messenger - (Jan/10/2008) Salisbury, Md.

Japheth Edward Saecker, 54, beloved husband of Ann Rotariu Saecker and a resident of Melfa, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 at Bayside Healthcare Center in Virginia Beach, Va.

Ed was born on May 1, 1953 in Suffolk, Va. He was the son of Wellington Mills Saecker and Marcella Rawls Saecker, both deceased. He also was predeceased by his step-mother, Joyce Folk Saecker; and his closest lifelong friend, Ken Thomas.

Survivors include two children, Christianna Mills Saecker of Smithfield, Va. and Japheth Edward Saecker Jr. of Houston, Texas; two brothers, Dr. John Rawls Saecker of Accomac, his wife Hope Bradshaw Saecker and their children Lee and John, and Wellington Mills Saecker Jr. of Suffolk; a sister, Edith Saecker Higinbotham of Suffolk, her husband Edward, and their children Anne and Sarah; three step-children, Daniel, Clay, and Mary Midkiff of Melfa; many cousins, aunts, uncles, and others in a large, close-knit family; and his church family.

Ed grew up in Suffolk, Va., where he proudly graduated from Suffolk High School and then attended Chowan College. He lived in various places during his adult years, including Annandale, Richmond, and Suffolk. He located to the Eastern Shore in 1992 when he married his wife Ann, who was living in Accomac. Ed worked for IA Construction and then VDOT until he retired due to illness in 2006.

Although not from the Eastern Shore, Ed was known to many due to his cheerful and friendly nature. He loved to talk with folks and always had a positive attitude about life. He felt very strongly about his Church, Drummondtown United Methodist Church, where he served as President of the United Methodist Men's group for several years. He particularly enjoyed singing in the choir, participating in the men's breakfasts, and worshipping with his friends. Other interests of Ed's included raising vegetables, cooking, camping, listening to music, reading, playing with his dog, Jasmine, doing crossword puzzles, and spending as much time as possible with his family, especially his two children.

Ed fought a valiant fight for years against cancer and several other debilitating diseases. His bravery in the face of much adversity will be remembered by all of those close to him.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, at Drummondtown United Methodist Church in Accomac. Following the service, a celebration of life and reception will be held at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed's name to the Drummondtown Church Choir, c/o Adelaide Hollandsworth, 26065 Colonial Dr., Onley, VA 23418.

Memory tributes may be sent to the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.

Marcella married Wellington Mills Saecker. (Wellington Mills Saecker was born on 2 Jul 1918 in Virginia and died on 9 Dec 2000 in Portsmouth City, VA.)