Connecting Suffolk Alumni Together
Officers
President: Roland Wilson
Secretary: Deborah Williams Parker
Asst. Secretary: Evelyn Lee Wall
Treasurer: Gail Hinton-Copeland
Assistant Treasurer: Theodore Vincent
Mission:
The mission of the High School Suffolk, VA Alumni Association is to:
- Preserve accurate records of school history while maintaining traditions associated with that history.
- Promote camaraderie among all graduates, staff members, and supporters of the school.
- Provide ways and means to support members and relatives of members seeking higher education degrees.
- Recognize and commend graduates and staff members who have distinguished themselves as leaders in the world, nation, state, and local community, and…
- Maintain a purposeful information system that promotes communication among its members and supporters.
Message
Latest News
BTW Alumnus and former Virginia Union University football coach Willard Bailey has been selected for induction into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
Coach Willard Bailey won more games than any football coach in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) history. A native of Suffolk, VA, he graduated with honors from Norfolk State University (1962) where he was a four-year letterman at offensive guard and linebacker.
He later received a Master’s in Education and Athletic Administration from New York University. Coach Bailey began his coaching career as a basketball, baseball, and track and field coach at Essex County High School in Tappahannock, VA. In 1963 and 1964, his basketball teams won back-to-back VIA Group II, District 7 Tournament Championships. His college coaching career began in 1964 at Virginia Union University (VUU) as an assistant football coach.
We Remember Our Classmates
May 2, 2025
The Booker T. Washington Alumni Association is sad to announce the passing of Lynette Chambliss Hardp, a member of the graduating class of 1964. She lived in Detroit, Michigan & her funeral will be held at Kemp Funeral Home in South Hill, Michigan on Thursday, May 8th at 12:30 pm. Edward Lee Gardner was a student in the graduating class of 1960 & lived in New York. There will be a funeral held on Saturday, May 10th at 12 noon at T. E. Cooke Funeral Chapel! Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery.
February 12, 2025
Peter Mitchell, the nephew of Abraham Mitchell who has also been called to his Heavenly Home 3 weeks ago, died on yesterday, Feb. 11th! Funeral arrangements are unknown at this time!
Jan 28, 2024
Bertha Bowers, a former BTW High School student has died. Funeral arrangements are not known at this time.
Jan 17, 2024
Abraham Mitchell, better known as “Ham” & Mr. CIAA went to be with the Lord on January 7th.
The funeral for Abraham Mitchell will be held at Tabernacle Baptist Church on East Washington St. in Suffolk at 11am on Saturday, January 18th.
If you went to the former Booker T. Washington High School or is an Alumni member, you are being asked to sit together as one body. A Wake & public Viewing of the remains of Abraham Mitchell will take place from 4 to 7pm on Friday, January 17th at Metropolitan Baptist Church on County St. in Suffolk, Va.
Dec 19, 2024
We are saddened to report the deaths of Rosa Lee Vann Harper & the mother of Vernell Ward. Rosa Harper was a graduate of the Class of 1962. She lived in Maryland where her funeral was held on December 2nd.
May 14, 2024
We are very sorry to announce the recent passing of Ceylon Narvelle Mitchell. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and later received his Masters of Science degree in Business Organizational Management from the University of Laverne, with concentrations in Human Resourses and Information Technology.
February 28, 2024
We are very sorry to announce the recent passing of Martin Austin, a past student in the Class of 1962.
January 23, 2024
We are very sorry to announce the passing of Julia Elizabeth Davis, the wife of the late Bud Davis, on Friday, January 20th! Her funeral will be held at 12 noon at First Baptist Church on Mahan Church in Suffolk She was also a very faithful & loyal member of our BTW Alumni Association
October 16, 2023
Paris Carson, the husband of Jeanette Sears Carson, has gone home to be with the Lord. His funeral will be held on Friday, October 20th at Oak Grove Baptist Church at 1pm.
December 6, 2023
The wife of Calvin Holley has died and her funeral was held on Friday, November 24th in Baltimore, MD.. Calvin graduated in the Class of 1962.
August 18, 2023
The Alumni Association is saddened to announce the passing of Edna Mason Lewis on Friday, August 11th. She was a student in the Class of 1961 and the wife of the late Kelly Lewis Sr.. Her funeral will be held at 1pm at Mt. Joy Church of God In Christ at 307 County St. in Suffolk.
July 15, 2023
Three BTW Alumni members have recently gone home to be with the Lord; Louis Tucker, Loretta Silver & Larry Coker.
January 21, 2023
Olivia Shields, BTW alumna Class of 1960, has transitioned. A viewing is from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 5th in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of the Crocker Funeral Home. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home.
ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM
Download the 2025 BTW Scholarship below: