J.D. Waldroupe, 87, peacefully departed this life passing away on Thursday, February 17th in Newport News, VA, with his family by his side.

Born February 2, 1935, in Spring Creek, North Carolina, he moved to Virginia right after high school and entered the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School. He met the love of his life, Stella, on Christmas Eve 1953 in the mountains of western North Carolina while she was at college. They were married Christmas Eve 1955 and made their home in Newport News, VA where they started a family and resided until his retirement after a career spanning 40 plus years at the Shipyard. When not working, they traveled the entire US with their daughters in tow, camping all the way. JD always had his hands in or on something including his gardening.

In his later years, his grandkids would always look forward to their time at his home whether it was in Newport News, Spring Creek, or in their weekend getaway on the Chowan River. PePa (as he was known to the grandkids) was full of life and always had a smile on his face in everything he would do with or for his family. JD would also be one for a fun time as he was involved in Square Dancing and local community events in Newport News, Spring Creek, and Florida. He also continued his gardening and took up quilting as well, always keeping busy.

On his retirement, JD and Stella became snowbirds, traveling between Florida and Spring Creek, NC. In NC, JD's and Stella's passion had been the success of the Spring Creek Community Center and they were avid supporters of the Spring Creek Volunteer Fire Department. They were members of New Life Baptist Church in FL and Zion Missionary Baptist Church in NC.

His wife, Stella, passed away suddenly after almost 61 years of marriage in November of 2016. After her passing, JD shared his later years with a special friend, Joy Lovitt of Shelbyville, IN. They enjoyed each other's company until Joy passed away in 2020 after a brief illness. JD would find his way back to Newport News to enjoy time with his family once again until his passing.

He is survived by daughters, Yolanda Waldroupe Hodges (John) of Yorktown, VA and Nancy Mason of Newport News, VA, his 4 grandchildren, Tabitha Utley, Tim Mason, Charles Allan Snodgrass and Jessica Reynolds (Robert) and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6PM to 7PM on Monday February 21, 2022, at the W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Newport News, VA. He will be laid to rest in Spring Creek. Funeral services will be held at noon at Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Spring Creek, NC on February 26, 2022. The family will receive friends starting at 11AM at the church. Burial to follow in the Church Cemetery.

The family wishes to extend their utmost thanks and gratitude to the staff at the Mennowood Retirement Community where JD has resided this past year, their kindness and understanding did not go unnoticed and has been an enormous support for everyone in the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in JD's name to the Spring Creek Community Center, 13075 NC 209 Hwy, Hot Springs, NC 28743. Please leave online condolences at www.wjsmithandson.com.