Sophie Strother Sellars, 97, passed away July 11th, 2021. She was born in Lake Helen, Florida and was a resident of the Tidewater area of Virginia for many years. She started her career at the end of WWll in welding at Baltimore Drydock and on Army tank retrievers at Kopper’s Co. and welded mast poles at the Columbia Yacht Co. and welded bridges and roadways for Globe Iron also working at the Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock. Her career landed at the Navy Public Works Center of Norfolk, VA working there 17 years and retiring in 1989.

Sophie was also an artist extraordinaire who did metal sculpture and had exhibits at many art galleries in the area to include; Gallery on the York, d’Art Center, Blue Skies Gallery and Charles H Taylor Arts Center where she was also an office and mailing assistant.

She started in Vaudeville and a travelling show as a young girl. She was a musician with the Hotel Paradise Rooftop Garden Orchestra playing banjo. And a guitarist with the Stringettes. She was best known for her Folk, Dixieland and Ragtime music. She played with the Tomcats Dixieland Band. She also was a musical volunteer at the Veteran’s Hospital in Richmond, Va.

She was also a television actress with New Dominion Pictures to include: The New Detectives, The FBI Files, The Prosecutors and Ghost Stories and stage actress with the Hurrah Players and Beyond Primetime Players.

She received many awards including: Various Art Festival Ribbon Awards, Ageless Heroes Award 1 of 6 people chosen out of 300, she won Creative Expressions Category and received her award from Willard Scott of NBC’s Today Show. She was also chosen for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts exhibition that featured her metal sculpture. She received the People’s Choice Award ‘99 Senior ArtFest.

Her Memberships included; Navy Public Works Center FCU Foundation Club Member, Hampton Arts League Member and member of d’Art Center.

She has been featured on television on; The Over The Hill Gang, and P.M. Magazine.

She was an active fundraiser for Aids Research, United Way, and SPCA. She also gave to the VA Beach Police.

She is survived by her Daughter Priscilla Sellars of Va. Beach, Va, Granddaughter Deborah Palmer of Deltona, Fl, Grandson Glenn Davis of Arlington, Tx., Great grandson Danny Markham of San Diego, CA, Great Grandson Scott Markham of Bristol, Fl., Great-great grandson Skyler Markham of Deltona, Fl, Great-great granddaughter Anikka Markham of San Diego, CA, and Great-great grandson Brendan Markham of Pierson, Fl.

She was preceded in death by her Daughter Marcella Davis of Grand Prairie, Tx, Daughter Lana Quinn of Va Beach, VA, Grandson Joe Woolard of Chesapeake, VA and Grandson Darryl Davis of Burleson, TX.

She had many hobbies and interests including working at the Norfolk Zoo as a volunteer as she loved animals. She loved making stained glass, swimming and going to the movie theatre and area theatres to watch stage plays. Her favorite games include: Horseshoes, Scrabble and Jeopardy and she was a winner of scrabble games even in her 90’s. She was such an Amazing woman, truly loved by her family and many friends.

She was baptized non-denominational, and will be seen in Heaven.

Her memorial service will be held on Aug 14th at 2:00 at the Family Choice Funerals & Cremations on 5401 Indian River Rd., Va Beach, VA. 23464.

In lieu of flowers any donations could be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Please share a memory with the family via the “Condolences and Tributes” tab.