Deacon Stanley A. Minor of Middlesex County entered eternal rest on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, at his home surrounded by his wife, Geneva; his two daughters, Carla and Danita; and son-in-law, Deacon E.J. Blake.
Stanley was raised in the loving Christian home of George “Skinny” Minor and, wife, Edith Minor.
He was baptized at an early age. As a young child, Stanley attended Mount Zion Church School, then Union Shiloh Church School, followed by St. Clare Walker High School.
Stanley was a hard worker. His very first job was working for Gerald Ware’s Service Station. Later he was employed at Corbin Hall Farm in Water View, where he worked as a farm hand. He also worked on various deep sea scallop boats, worked as an oysterman, worked in New Jersey at Anchor Hocking Glass Company and labored as a mechanic at Bareford Buick Automotive in Tappahannock. Later, Stanley worked at the Virginia Elastic Plant in Tappahannock, and various other jobs. An opportunity for a career with Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News presented itself, Stanley happily accepted this career change. At the Newport News Shipyard, Stanley was a ship fitter. He wisely invested in 16-seater passenger vans and transported coworkers to and from work safely every day for many years.
Stanley had several close fishing buddies. He would often clean fish for hours, then bag them to distribute to family and friends. He also loved deer hunting. He was a loyal member of Upright Hunting Club in King and Queen County, where for many years he was in steady rotation to feed and care for Upright’s hunting dogs.
Stanley thoroughly enjoyed drag racing. Many Saturdays, he could be found at a drag strip with his good friend, Johnny Cauthorne. Stanley and Johnny proved to be quite a winning team, as Johnny served as the race car driver and Stanley the reliable transport, navigator and mechanic.
Above all, Stanley enjoyed his family and friends who were like family — “OHANA” (a Hawaiian word meaning family connected by love not necessarily by blood).
Stanley was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church, where he served faithfully up until his death. He served on the deacon and trustee boards and was a dedicated member of the St. Paul Church choir. Down through the years, he also served as a church sexton, always available and committed to assisting with upgrades and repairs.
Stanley and Geneva first met during their early school years. They were married in 1969. Out of this union, two girls were born, Carla Minor-Blake (Ervin “E.J.” Blake) of Middlesex County, and Danita Minor-Taylor (William “Pete” Taylor) of Mooresville, N.C.
Stanley was a devoted husband and father. He proudly provided, supported and protected his family.
Stanley will be deeply missed, especially seen driving around in his little green truck, stopping at Big John’s gas station for a cup of coffee, watching football games with Bubba Williams and family, hanging out at Upright Hunting Club with fellow hunters and his close buddy, James Albert Baker (better known as Shake & Bake), “cutting up” and cheering at Middlesex High School basketball games, stopping to chat with his pastor, the Rev. Kenneth Dunn, or just stopping by loved one’s home to ask, “Hey there … do you need help with anything?”
Stanley was preceded in death by his birth mother, Ruth Thornton of King and Queen County; father and mother, George Bernard Minor and Edith H. Minor of Warner; sisters, Corrine Jordan of Plainfield, N.J., and Sheila Mae Minor of Warner; and brothers, Sylvester Thornton, King and Queen County, and Willie Brown, the Town of West Point.
Stanley is survived by his loving wife Geneva, their strong marriage spanning 57 years. Stanley is also survived by his two daughters, Carla Minor-Blake (Ervin “E.J.” Blake) of Middlesex County, and Danita Minor-Taylor (William “Pete” Taylor) of Mooresville, N.C.; sisters, Judy Minor of Warner, Ann Charity of Hartfield, and Caroline “Carol” Brown of Delaware, Md.; brothers, David (Lisa) Minor of Warner, Craig Sr. (Darlene) Minor, of Jamaica, Va., Steve Brown, of West Point, and Stanley (Dalphine) Hundley of Urbanna; two brothers-in-law, Eugene Key of Center Cross, and Wilford Key of Salem, N.J.; one sister-in-law, Virginia Yarbrough of Hampton; two grandchildren, Brittany Mabe (Cameron) of Charlotte, N.C., and Jordan Blake (Shea) of South Boston, Va.; three great-grandchildren, Shawn Jr., Jaxson and Cameron, Jr.; two great-great-grandchildren; a beloved niece and nephew, Tracey Roye and Walter Tashan Jordan of Essex County, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
A celebration of life is planned for 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at St. Paul Baptist Church, 2242 Canoe House Road, Jamaica, with the family receiving friends one hour prior to the services. Tributes may be posted at www.
vincentfh.com.
