Lawrence Francis Henriques DeSouza, 96, of Colonial Heights, Virginia, died Wednesday, February 11, 2026 surrounded by family.

He was born in Washington, DC and moved with his family to Petersburg, Virginia as a teenager where he attended Petersburg High School and met his wife of 64 years, Margaret Ann Wells.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Ann DeSouza, his parents Eugene Stanley and Mary Anglin DeSouza, his sisters Jean Mae Cheeley and Martha Ann McAdam.

He is survived by his daughters, Robin Jarrett (Alan), Jan Perkinson (Randy), Jennifer Toombs (Ricky), Susan Rusnak (Raymond) and his son Lawrence F. DeSouza, Jr. (Jill); grandchildren, Brad Jarrett, Chris Jarrett, Greg Jarrett, Brian Perkinson, Allison Pilcher, Kristin Vaughan, Kari Crews, Tiffany Gibbs, Caroline DeSouza, Catherine Lee DeSouza and Claire DeSouza; great grandchildren, Taylor Jarrett, Bradley Jarrett Jr., Edison Jarrett, Raylan Jarrett, Briggs Jarrett, Reagan Perkinson, Ransom Perkinson, Owen Bradley, Hampton Pilcher, Camden Vaughan, Wells Vaughan, Carson Crews, Hudson Crews, Campbell Crews, Addison Williams, Jonathan Williams and Lake Gibbs; great great grandchild, Stella Akrie and numerous nieces and nephews.

He graduated as a member of the Cadet Corps, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1952 and served in the United States Army Reserves. He retired from The Life Insurance Company of Virginia. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Petersburg for 81 years where he served on the Parish Council and other committees. He was a member of the Saints and Sinners. He was an original and proud member of POGO (Petersburg Old Geezers Organization) where he enjoyed old and new friendships. He served on the Board of Directors of Community Bank, Petersburg and was a member of the Kiwanis.

Larry enjoyed fishing, crabbing, gardening, cooking, family beach trips to the Outer Banks, his summers in West Virginia with family as a young boy, his friends and most of all spending time with his family.

A special thank you to Larry’s caregivers, Sue Baeland, Shalonda Lewis, Shanice Winston, Jamine Tutt and Kieisha Young. They became such an important part of our family. The family also thanks Kelly Johnson with Hospice of Virginia.

A memorial mass will be held Monday, February 23, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 151 W. Washington St, Petersburg, Virginia, 23803 with Fr. Gino Rossi officiating. Interment of cremains will follow in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cemetery Petersburg, Virginia. The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 22, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Colonial Heights chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834.Donations can be made in Larry’s honor to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or The Hope Center in Petersburg, Virginia. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

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