Alfreda Iola Braxton Saddon

Celebration of a Legacy Born June 11, 1916 in Newport News, VA, Alfreda (Freda) Iola Braxton Saddon the only child to Clarence Braxton and Maggie Gray Braxton. She was nurtured by her paternal grandparents, Edward and Mary Braxton and aunt, Lelia B. Keene in which all preceded her in death. She was educated in the Newport News public school system. She graduated from Huntington High School in 1934. After completion of high school, she worked for several years in a doctor's office. Her desire was to become a Registered Nurse. She accepted the calling and enrolled in nursing school in Wilmington, North Carolina. In 1947 she was certified as a registered nurse by the North Carolina Board of Nurse Examiners. Alfreda married Francis (Frank) P. Saddon, Sr. in 1939. After 48 years of marriage, he preceded her in death. From this union four children were born. Alfreda started her nursing career at the Medical College of Virginia at St. Philip Hospital in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit. She loved working with babies and seeing the miracles of the Lord. As time moved on she became the head nurse of the department, where she served for 38 years. At an early age she accepted Christ and would was baptized at First Baptist Church in Newport News. In the 1960’s she converted to Catholicism under Rev. Raymond Schantz of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. She was devoted to her faith and her church. She was a member of the Ladies Sodality, the Legion of Mary and the Catholic Daughters. She was also a member of Nurses and Friends Association, the St. John's Baptist Church Senior Group, the Salvation Army Boys and Girls club Senior Group and various Pinochle and Pokeno Social Clubs. She enjoyed traveling with her friends and spending time with their children and grandchildren. But nothing could separate her from her three favorite things playing bingo, eating chocolate candy and shopping for shoes and hats. When Alfreda fell ill her family noticed a constant presence of cardinals flying around the house. On June 6, 2013 at 5:45 PM, two bright red cardinals flew over the house and escorted Alfreda Iola Braxton Saddon to their eternal home. She entrusted to her heavenly father three sons, Francis Patrick Saddon, Jr, Michael Braxton Saddon (Mary) all of Richmond Virginia, Alfred Sidney Saddon of Washington DC, one daughter, Mary Ann Saddon Jones (Robert) of North Chesterfield, Virginia. She leaves to cherish her memory for granddaughters, Marlita Steele of Los Angeles California, Michelle Foreman of Hanover Virginia, Angela Henderson of Clinton, Maryland and Kamiliah S. Thurmon of Los Angeles California, six great-grandchildren and a host of cousins and four devoted friends Dorothy Gaines, Clara Mines, Arnelle Haywood, and Althea Jones.

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Alfreda Iola Braxton Saddon

June 11, 1916 - June 6, 2013