Lona Belle Slade Cohen, 84, died Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011. Mrs. Cohen was one of 17 children born to the late Charlie A. and Dora Allen Slade. She overcame polio and the North Carolina tobacco fields to land in Norfolk, Va., at the age of 15.
A devoted mother and provider to her children and a friend to many. She loved to read, sew, work with flowers, go to ball games and watch grandchildren.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Norman Benjamin Cohen Jr. and wife Ramona, Donna Rae Harmon, Jerry Cohen, David A. Cohen and wife Melissa Schugeld, Dorothy C. Langley and husband Gene, and Marion C. Scott and husband Ruel; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1901 Airline Blvd, Portsmouth, Va., with pastor Timothy Utton officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6350 Center Drive, Suite 102, Norfolk, VA 23502. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.altmeyer.com.