Annie Delilah Jones Doggett

Delilah J. Doggett, 99, of Surry County passed away on November 4, 2023, at Waverly Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Waverly, Virginia. She had been a resident there for over seven years. She was born Annie Delilah Jones December 20, 1923, to Ruth Delilah Batten Jones and Maurice Ray Jones on a small farm a few miles northwest of Smithfield in Isle of Wight County. She was known by most as Delilah or “’lilah” and “Piggie” by many. The nickname “Piggie” was given by her Aunt Rene but no one knows exactly why. One lone relative, her Aunt Mittie Berryman, refused to call her Piggie or Delilah, preferring to call her Ann. After graduating from Smithfield High School in 1941, she went to work in the accounting department at a local packing plant, V.W. Joyner & Co. in Smithfield. She married Everett H. Doggett, Jr. on November 30, 1944, at her parent’s home in Isle of Wight County. They lived in the upstairs apartment of Mrs. Kaye Whitley at Isle of Wight Courthouse while Everett farmed nearby land and livestock with his brother, Dwight. In 1952 they moved to their newly acquired farm in Surry County where they worked, raised their family, and resided for the rest of their lives. Delilah was predeceased by her aforementioned parents, her husband of 65 years, Everett H. Doggett, Jr. and their oldest daughter, Sandra D. Crocker. Delilah was also predeceased by her older brother, Thomas Ray Jones. Delilah is survived by her daughter, Ruth Dare Doggett Judkins and her husband Franck, her son E. Henry Doggett, III of Surry,  her grandson, The Hon. Jonathan F. Judkins of Surry and her son-in-law Peter Frank Crocker of Central Hill. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was the bookkeeper, accountant and payroll master for her husband’s farm operation from 1952 until his retirement at the end of 1990. She was a lifelong member of Bethany United Methodist Church where she served as the primary grade Sunday School teacher for 30 plus years. She was also a member of the Ladies Bible Class and WSCS (Women’s Society of Christian Service) now known as the UMW (United Methodist Women). Bethany and the surrounding community were a focal point of her life. She and Everett served on many church committees over the years. Delilah was a long-time member of the Bethany Home Demonstration Club in accordance with the Virginia Tech Home Extension Service. Delilah served several terms on the local Southern States Home Advisory Board at Farmer’s Service Cooperative in Smithfield. Delilah served as an election official at the Bacon’s Castle precinct in Surry County for over 30 years. She eventually became the chief judge of that precinct working, alongside several other local citizens in primary and general elections with great integrity. As a farm family, the opportunity to travel was limited but Delilah and Everett did manage several trips with the family to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway, and other sights in western Virginia and North Carolina. In later years, as part of Everett’s board membership at Prince George Electric Cooperative, they attended Rural Electric Cooperative conventions and meetings together in Las Vegas, Atlanta, Dallas, Orlando, New Orleans and Nashville. Being at home on the farm twixt Poolesville and Bacon’s Castle in Surry County and Rushmere and Moonlight in Isle of Wight was where she was happiest. She enjoyed cooking, handiwork, reading, playing Setback, Scrabble, and doing for others. She was quick to answer the call to assist family and friends in time of need and driving them to medical appointments, church events, cooking and baking, writing notes or calling them. Above all, she was a wonderful, talented and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to all. The word sweet is often bandied about when describing her. In fact, it was another nickname that she and Everett used interchangeably with each other…”Sweets”. The family of Delilah Doggett, would like to thank the staff of caregivers, nurses, and administrators at Waverly Rehabilitation & Healthcare for their loving care and attention to her over the past few years. Our sincere appreciation to them all. Donations in Delilah Doggett’s memory may be made to Bethany Cemetery Fund or Bethany United Methodist Church c/o Raymond Edwards, 13088 Mill Swamp Rd, Smithfield, VA 23430, or a charity of your choice will be appreciated. A funeral service for Delilah Doggett will be held at Bethany United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow the service in Bethany Cemetery. A visitation reception will be held afterward in the Bethany United Methodist Church social hall. Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.