James Alton Hassell, 63, of Suffolk, VA passed away on March 25, 2008 at the McGuire Veterans Hospital in Richmond. A native of Columbia, NC, he was the son of the late Charlie Alton Hassell and Alice Odell Brickhouse Hassell. James, also known as Jim or JA, was a disabled veteran who served in the North Carolina National Guard, U. S. Navy and the Merchant Marines. He is survived by his four sisters and one brother: Iris Sylvia and Hilda Gordon of Suffolk, VA and Joyce Jenkins, JP Hassell of NC and Annette Klapwyk of California.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 13 at 3 p.m. in the parlor of West End Baptist Church located on the corner of West Washington St. and St. James in Suffolk, VA. Family and friends are invited. In lieu of flowers, please make a tax-deductible donation to the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust at (1-877-426-2838 Ext. 3302) in his honor and memory. Thou has granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit. Job 10:12.

Sailor's Prayer- Mac McGovern Lord, hear my prayer,
send your angels, to guard well, we sailors, serving in your fleet, protect us from harm or defeat, give us guidance and wisdom, to pursue diplomacy and peace instead of hatred and war, choosing life, over death,
when I die, permit me to appear first, at your gate, allow the devil to think I'm late, and, before he realizes his mistake, grant me entrance, and assign me to serve, life eternal, in your heavenly fleet.