Aurora Velez Tisdale

Aurora Velez Tisdale, 73, passed away June 19, 2013. She was born in New York City, NY on July 12, 1939 to the late Jose and Maria Ortiz Velez. Mrs. Tisdale was a 1957 graduate of Churchland High School, where she created a special bond with many classmates who still meet for luncheons and an annual trip to Scotland Neck. She attended ODU. In 1958, Mrs. Tisdale joined the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, most recently she was a member of the Laureate Beta Iota Chapter. On Dec. 23, 1961 she married the love of her life, Edwin L. Tisdale. She loved participating in the Golden Unit Wives Club of the Khedive Shrine Temple and the Korean War Marine Corps Recon Reunion Group. Mrs. Tisdale enjoyed the great times and friendships she made while participating in these organizations. She worked in the retail jewelry business and was a parishioner at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church. Mrs. Tisdale above all adored spending time with her family and friends.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 52 years, Edwin L. Tisdale; sons, Edwin Tisdale and his wife Susan and Mike Tisdale and his wife Debora; grandsons, Nick and Alex Tisdale; beloved sister and caregiver Sylvia Velez Vernon; brother, Ted I. Velez; uncle, Fernando Velez; cousins, Felicita and Rey Acosta; and numerous cousins and extended family. She is preceded in death by her brother, Joseph A. Velez; and sister, Beatriz Ortiz Nieves.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Lake Taylor Transitional Care for their exceptional care.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2013 at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel. A funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 24, 2013 at the funeral home. Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, June 24, 2013 at Olive Branch Cemetery in Portsmouth, VA. You may pay condolences to the family at www.smithandwilliamskempsville.com.