On Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, Mr. Alma Thomas Read, 80, of Wingate, N.C., and formerly of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, passed away peacefully at Anson Health and Rehab in Wadesboro, N.C., with the love and support of his four daughters gathered in his room.
Alma was born March 4, 1946, in Newport News and was a son of the late Edward Richard Read and the late Elizabeth Lucille Powers Read. He was a graduate of Central High School in Painter.
He grew up in Melfa, where he and his family resided for many years before relocating to Onancock. For many years, he worked with Delmarva Power Electric Company in Exmore and later retired as a salesman with Onancock Building Supply in Onancock.
Alma was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served during the Vietnam War. While in the Marines, he worked as a mechanic on airplanes and helicopters. Honorably discharged following his tour of duty, Sgt. Read was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Device, Vietnam Campaign Medal with One Star, Good Conduct Medal, and Rifle Expert Badge. To say he was a proud veteran is an understatement, as he always wanted to wear clothing and hats significantly stating he was a Vietnam War veteran and a Marine — Semper Fi!
He led and spearheaded the Nandua Athletic Booster Club. He served at the Melfa ballfield concession stand, and in Melfa he played, coached, and umpired softball. He enjoyed all sports and enjoyed watching games of various sports teams.
Of all his accomplishments, his greatest was that of being a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He and Marie were always there for their daughters, supporting them all through their school years and into adulthood. He loved his children and grandchildren greatly and always looked forward to times shared with them.
Those who are left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Marie Ortley Read; their daughters, Carole Read (Bobby Mears), of Melfa, Vicki Colona (Mike Bridges), of Wingate, Cindy Terry, of Bloxom, and Debbie Hess (Shaun), of Aldie; his grandchildren, Kayla Bagwell, of Cashville, Duane Read (Chelsea), of Temperanceville, Alexus and Devon Hess, both of Aldie, Bradley Colona and Rylee Marshall, both of Bloxom, and Dylan Marshall, of Onancock; his great-grandchildren, Audrey, Bennie, Drake, Wyatt, Emmie, and Tatum; his siblings, Maynard Read (Marsha), of Reno, Nev., and Peggy Brown (Norvil), of Melfa; and his nieces and nephews and their families.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Read.
The family is most grateful to the staff of Anson Health and Rehab for becoming a second family to both Alma and Marie and for the care they have lovingly provided for them both, especially Yasmin and Ashley.
A celebration of life service with military honors will be conducted from the chapel of the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home on Friday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. at Williams Onancock Funeral Home in Onancock. The family will welcome friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service for visitation.
Donations in Alma’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516, http://www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org; or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Southeastern Virginia Chapter, 6160 Kempsville Circle, Suite 322A, Norfolk, VA 23502, http://www.alz.org
Memory tributes may be shared at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are in the care of Leavitt Funeral Home in Wadesboro and Williams-Onancock Funeral Home in Onancock.
