COL Lonnie L. Stith to TAPs

received this from Roger Scearce re Lonnie Stith's passing on 25 Oct 2017:

All - pls see below note from Johnnie Beale; just wanted to be sure you were aware.  Lonnie  was my XO for a year in DFAS - a real gentleman, and truly a gentle man.  He and his fiancee had just relocated to Charleston - and were very happy and excited about their next chapter together.
Unreal. We lost a great FC officer and friend with his tragic passing.
Roger 
——————
Text I received from Johnnie Beale 10/28/17:

Hey sir, here’s email sent out to hampton university military alums ref the sudden death of Colonel(r) Lonnie Stith.  didn’t know if you knew.  this is most current info i know at this time.  we are all well.  regards to you and family.  
johnnie
Hamptonians: This is a follow up email concerning the loss of COL(R) Lonnie Stith.  I spoke to his widow and she stated that the Omega's would be doing a ceremony for him in Charleston, SC on Thursday.  After the ceremony he will be flown back to Newport News for a funeral on Saturday November 4, time to be determined.  The funeral will take place at New Life Church, which I believe is located at 644 Ellen Road (Jefferson Ave and Ellen Road).  He will be interred at VA cemetery on campus,(which to my knowledge was full) she indicated a spot was open.(I will follow up and get the details from the representative at the VA)  I do not know which funeral home is handling the remains, but I will investigate on Monday. Lonnie died as the result of complications surrounding his knee surgery.  I will be sending out another email to confirm everything early next week.
 
Claude Vann, III
Class of 1977