Current and Former Board Members

The Board of Directors & officers were selected from a broad cross-section of the community at large.

Lynn K. Rose, Chairwoman

Lynn Rose’s ties to the Chuckatuck area go back to three Jamestown settlers, Joseph Bridger, Robert Pitt and Thomas Godwin, who settled on or near the Chuckatuck Creek in the 1600s. She grew up at Everets, only a few miles from her colonial family’s roots. Family members, particularly her grandmother, Merle Abbitt Kirk, instilled a love of local and family history in her from an early age.

Lynn is a member of the Chuckatuck High School Class of 1959. Following graduation from the College of William and Mary she taught elementary school in Smithfield. She has also coached high school basketball, led a Girl Scout leader in Chuckatuck and was active in saving the Suffolk Seaboard Station and turning it into a museum. In addition, she spearheaded saving the Christian Home Schoolhouse which is now the Schoolhouse Museum in Smithfield.

She and her husband, Charles, a native of Smithfield, were married in 1962 at the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church in Chuckatuck where she is an active member. They are the parents of two sons, Rusty and John, and six grandchildren.

After teaching school she became involved in family businesses, Kirk Lumber Company and Kirk Timber and Farming Company. She gained great satisfaction over the years from working daily with many family members from her grandfather to her two sons. She continues to be involved in related businesses.

Other than activities with her grandchildren, Lynn’s hobbies include genealogy, gardening and local history. She promoted the organization of the Greater Chuckatuck Historical Foundation in 2009 as an outlet for the knowledge of the local area she had accumulated.

Conrad Haas, retired from BOD, past Co-Chairman

The Haas family moved to their farm behind Oakland Church on Audubon Road in 1949. Edward and Frances Haas were Conrad’s and sister, Ann Haas Wuest’s parents. Conrad graduated from Chuckatuck High School in 1953; Virginia Tech, in 1958, and the University of North Carolina in 1973. After farming, Conrad worked for the Va. Dept. of Agriculture, Planters Peanuts, Corning Glass International, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC and did private consulting.

Now retired, Conrad and his wife, Marie live in Suffolk and have four children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Unfortunately, Conrad passed away in September 2018. His diligence and enthusiasm are missed greatly.

Nancy Pruden, Secretary

I was born in Suffolk, Virginia in 1958. After attending Chuckatuck High in elementary school, graduating from John Yeates and playing college student for three years at Tidewater Community College, I began my 35 year career as a rural mail carrier, serving the residents of Suffolk’s beautiful countryside. I have always lived on Crooked Creek Farm in Sandy Bottom, which the Pruden family bought in 1901. I hope to live on the land of my ancestors the rest of my life.

Frank Spady, III, Treasurer

Drexel Bradshaw, Treasurer

Drex was born in 1938. Graduated from Chuckatuck High School in 1955 and VPI in 1960. Entered the Navy in 1962, received his Wings of Gold as a naval aviator in 1963, and retired as a captain (06) in 1991. Joyce & Drex have two children, Drexel Andrew and Rachel Darden.

Dr. Dwight Bradshaw

Raised in Chuckatuck; Parents: John & Dorothy Bradshaw. Attended Chuckatuck Elementary and High School. Graduated from Va. Tech and Medical College of Virginia of Dentistry. Started a dental practice in Northern Suffolk (Bennett’s Creek area) in 1952 and still involved in private practice.

Alphonsa Cargill

Sammy Copeland

Roosevelt Jones

Roosevelt Jones was born to Berry Milton Jones, Jr. and Gracie Mabel Mason Jones in Nansemond County in the area of Chuckatuck, VA, February 12, 1941. He was educated at Oakland Elementary School, East Suffolk High School, Class of 1960 and later Old Dominion University.

Roosevelt married Catherine C. Hill June 12, 1961. They had one son, Michael A. Jones who died about 2 1/2 years later, two daughters, Verita C. Jones and Bennetta L. Jones. He worked at Smithfield Packing Company, Newport News Shipyard and Weyerhauser Company, retiring June 20, 2005 after nearly 40 years of employment there.

Roosevelt is an active community service leader, including Bethel Masonic Lodge in Chuckatuck , August 1974; King Edward Lodge, Portsmouth; F Lindan Holmes Council of Delidber since 1974. Member of Little Bethel Baptist – Diamond Grove Baptist Churches, Oakland – Chuckatuck Civic League and the Greater Chuckatuck Historical Foundation.

Ann G. Lovell

Leroy Pope III (Roy)

Born June 23, 1941 in Richmond, Virginia. In 1947, he moved to Chesterfield County. He was active in Boy Scouts and Sea Explorers living out his love of the water.

In 1960, he graduated from Thomas Dale High School. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard aboard the USCG Cherokee whose primary mission was Search and Rescue. He participated in a search rescue during the infamous Ash Wednesday Storm. Upon completion of his military service, he enrolled at Old Dominion College in Design Engineering, graduating in 1968.

After graduation, Roy began his career in marine design at Newport News Shipbuilding, working on the design of USS Nimitz. While at Old Dominion, he met his future wife, Lynn Eddy. They were married in June 1968 and bought their first home in Holiday Point Estates in Nansemond County. They have two sons, Keith Alan Pope, born January 15, 1971 and Alec Wayne Pope born August 2, 1977. In 1974, he built their present home on the Pope Family Century Farm. It has been said that “Heaven is closer in a house by the Creek.” Roy supported both boys in their Cub Scout and Boy Scout endeavors, especially their quest for Eagle Scout. Roy retired in July 2000.

Roy is presently member of:

  • Suffolk Christian Church and the Adult Bible Class

  • Chuckatuck Ruritan Club with 38 years perfect attendance, past President, Ruritan of the Year 1999 and 2008. His Ruritan ministry is designing and building handicap ramps for those in the community and placing flags on the graves of all veterans in the 3 Chuckatuck cemeteries.

  • Sons of Confederate Veterans, Tom Smith Camp 1702. Commander January 2005 – December 2006. He was instrumental in identifying Confederate veteran graves, installing veteran markers and holding Memorial Services at Oakland and Wesley Chapel Cemeteries. Currently he is working on identifying those Confederate graves at St. John’s. Also a member of MOS&B.

  • Greater Chuckatuck Historical Society – member of the Executive Board

Jackie U. Saunders

Jackie Underwood Saunders , a graduate of Chuckatuck High School, was born and raised near Reid’s Ferry. She is married to Harvey Saunders, Jr. and lives in Smithfield. She attended Christopher Newport in marketing and merchandising.

She was a professional model for 13 years and represented The Woman’s Club of Smithfield in the Mrs. Virginia pageant. She was a charm school instructor for teens as well as teaching classes in Dress for Success and Self Improvement for adult education at Christopher Newport and Thomas Nelson.

She is active in The Woman’s Club of Smithfield having served as President, Vice President , Secretary, treasurer and other positions during her tenure and research contributor for The Smithfield Cookbook.

A member of The Colonel William Allen Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution , she has served as By Laws Chair, First Vice Regent and treasurer. Jackie is a life long active member of Oakland Christian Church.

She is retired from Belk/Leggett holding positions as Fashion Director, Special Events Manager and Merchandise Manager.

Kitty Edwards Martin

Our newest board member – Kitty was born September 13, 1955. After going to school in Gates County, NC she moved to Suffolk near Chuckatuck in her senior year. She graduated from Nansemond Suffolk Academy in 1973 and Suffolk Beauty Academy in 1974.

Kitty has been the owner of Kitty’s Beauty Salon right in the heart of Chuckatuck since 1978. She has been very active in the community with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Suffolk National Night Out, Meals On Wheels, while filing many roles for GCHF since its beginning. Kitty is married to her husband, Earl and they have two children, Jonathan and Michelle.

Ann H. Wuest, Past President

Ann Haas Wuest, Graduate of CHS, 1960. She has two daughters, two grandchildren and now lives in Williamsburg, VA.