Edna Delva Dungee-Baytops was born on August 6, 1956. She slipped away peacefully at home on August 21, 2022. She is preceded in death by her parents, Herbert Washington Dungee and Betty Dudley Dungee; sisters Marlene Dungee- Brown, Jackie Dungee-Byrd; brother, Herbert Willis Dungee, and sister-in-law, Glenda Gayle Dungee. Delva was the sixth of eight children.
Delva received her formal education at King and Queen Elementary and at Central High School, where she graduated in 1974. If the term “The G.O.A.T” (Greatest Of All Time) had been coined in the ’70s, Delva would have indeed fallen under that category. Delva played both softball and basketball where she was selected All District as catcher and center respectively and was offered a scholarship to play basketball at Virginia Union University. She was a gifted athlete and helped to bring many championships to Central High School in both sports during her time there.
Delva returned to Central High after graduating to coach the girls’ J.V. basketball team, and in 1990, the girls marched to a 15-3 record and WON the District Championship! She was also an Assistant Coach to the Varsity basketball team, totaling a 13-year tenure between the two. However, before coaching for the high school teams, she was instrumental in the Community Youth Basketball league, giving her time and strategies every Saturday morning to the children throughout the county.
In 1973, Delva met the love of her life, although she didn’t know it yet, because when they met, an insult was thrown and not by Ernest! Nonetheless, Ernest’s love persevered, and they dated for thirteen years and were married on October 17, 1987. The union was obviously meant to be, because when you saw Ernest, you saw Delva; from playing sports to enjoying riding motorcycles, singing in church choirs, including the Dungee Family Choir, and always enjoying family and friends, they were inseparable. Oh, not to mention Ernest’s birthday being August 5 and Delva’s on August 6; it was just another sign that they were made for each other!
Among his endless loving memories of their time together, Ernest recalls Delva was always willing to assist with working on the cars, even if he didn’t think he needed her help. That was Delva: she was always willing to lend a helping hand.
Delva was employed at King & Queen County Department of Social Services for 37 years and she was also the church clerk of Second Mount Olive Baptist Church for many years. She selflessly gave her time and devotion to King & Queen County. She deeply cared about and would do anything to assist everyone either in church, school or on her job. She had a beautiful smile that would light up a room, and she exemplified a beautiful spirit to everyone she met.
Delva leaves to cherish her memory and continue her legacy of love, her husband, Ernest Baytops; sisters, Delores Dungee-Anderson, Yvonne Dungee, Carla Dungee-Drumgold; brother, Marcellus Dungee; brothers in-law, George Anderson, Oris K. Drumgold, Larry Baytops, Wayne Baytops, Carroll Baytops; sisters in- law, Alicia Baytops, Cheryl Baytops; nieces, Pamela Major, Cynthia Dungee-Anderson, Erin Brown, Andrea Dungee, Nicara Brown, Michelle Dungee, Staci Dungee, Adrienne Byrd, Erica Drumgold, Evelyn Anderson, Megan Stafford, Alexis Brown, Adrienne Paul, and Raven Baytops; nephews, Timothy Brown, Marcus Dungee, Daryl Dungee, James Anderson, Timothy Anderson, Kennard L. Drumgold, Ian Brown, Brandon Baytops, Brian Baytops, Brandon Marrow, and Devin Marrow; special nephews, Isiah, and Deonte Beasley; special cousins, Pamela, and Bernadette Moffat.
Delva will also be deeply missed by her special nephew ‘godson’, Kevin Dungee-Anderson, dearest friends Portia Lee and Linda Lewis, special “cousin” Barbara Holmes, aunt-in-law Reitha O’Neal, and a host of great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service will be held 1PM Saturday, August 27, 2022, at Second Mount Olive Baptist Church, 3156 Devils Three Jump Rd, Little Plymouth, VA 23091. A viewing will be held from 5PM-8PM Friday, August 26, 2022, at Vincent Funeral Home, 417 11th Street, West Point, VA 23181.
*Mask will be required when attending services for Mrs. Dungee-Baytops*
