Obituary of Claudette Peacock

Claudette Brinkley Hurdle Kelley Peacock joined her Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 16, 2023.  She was born in the Berkley section of Norfolk on June 20, 1939 and was the oldest of four siblings born to the late Essex Brinkley, Jr. and Mercedes Brickhouse Brinkley Smith.  Claudette grew up in Berkley, and in 1956, moved with her family to Portsmouth. She graduated from I. C. Norcom High School in 1956 and it was there that she met and later married Russell E. Hurdle, Sr. and out of that union came their four children – Sheri, Robin, Gail, and Eugene.  Claudette was a member of New First Baptist Taylorsville and later Fellowship United Church of Christ where she was a member of the Margret Gordon White Circle, the Voices of Fellowship, and United Seniors.  She was a Lifetime Member of the NAACP and (because she was known for her sense of style and love for hats) she was also a faithful member of The Red Hatters Club.

Several years after her first marriage, she met Eddie Lee Kelley and they married in 1979.  After Eddie’s passing, she later met and married Esker Peacock in 2008, and just as with Eddie, she spent many wonderful years with him until his passing.  Most recently, she was introduced to a fine gentleman who called her his “P & J” – his Pride and Joy.  Reverend Charlie Benson was a faithful, caring and dedicated companion who was always able to put a smile on her face. 

Claudette began working once all of her children were in grade school and her first job was at Starband Plastics.  She later continued her professional career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Portsmouth General Hospital and then later as an Anesthesiologist Technician at Maryview Medical Center.  She loved her profession and served it well until her retirement.

Predeceased by her husbands, Eddie Lee Kelley and Esker Peacock; her son, Russell Eugene Hurdle, Jr. and her sister, Constance B. Dabney; she leaves to cherish her memory her devoted companion, Reverend Charlie Benson of Chesapeake; her daughters; Sheri Bailey, Robin L. Hurdle, and Gail L. Hurdle, all of Portsmouth; two step-daughters, Lydia Kelley of Hawaii and Kimberly Tucker of Chesapeake; two sisters, Essie B. Bowie (Don) of Norfolk and Evelyn B. Orton (Wayne) of Suffolk; her brother-in-law, Howard R. Dabney (Constance) of Brooklyn, NY; her sister-in-law, Ella Casper of Chesapeake; four grandchildren; Tonya ‘Tiki’ Sexton of Chesapeake, Darius Clark of Dixon, CA, Peyton E. Bailey of Philadelphia, PA, and Justin Nicholas Richardson Ray of Montgomery, AL; two great-grandchildren; two nieces, Kimberly O. Jones of Suffolk and Ashlee O. Magobet (Ryeheim) of South Chesterfield, VA; two nephews; Louis R. Dabney (Unwanna) of Varina, VA and Vernon A. Orton, II (Megan) of Midlothian, VA; her longtime friends, Pamela Beamon, Hybernia Peace and, Claries Weaver, all of Portsmouth, and Carol Ricks of Suffolk; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held 11 AM Monday, April 24, 2023 at Fellowship United Church of Christ, 1402 Gust Lane, Chesapeake, VA by Reverend Ronnie Hall.  Entombment in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.  A viewing will be held from 9 AM until the hour of the service on Monday at the church.  Professional services entrusted to Walton Funeral Home, Virginia Beach, VA.

Service available via livestream.  To view click the link below.