Rev. Serafio E. Fontanilla, Sr.

Serafio Earl Fontanilla, Sr., 69, slipped away to his home in Glory to be with the Lord on June 15, 2020. Serafio was born on June 11, 1951 in Norfolk, VA to the late Earl & Doris Fontanilla.

He was educated in the Virginia Beach public school system. Serafio continued his education and graduated from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art and a Master’s Degree in Theology from Virginia Union University. He was a teacher for 37 years for the Virginia Beach City Public Schools and a former Old Dominion Missionary Moderator. Reverend Serafio was the Pastor for 15 years for Woodland Avenue Baptist Church, Norfolk, VA. In his spare time, Serafio loved reading scriptures from the Holy Bible and participating in family activities.

Serafio was predeceased by his mother, Doris Perry Fontanilla-Knox; father, Serafio Fontanilla Sr.; brother, Anthony Fontanilla; sister Cheryl Fontanilla; grandparents, Serafio Fontanilla, Emma Fontanilla-Gregory, Dorisie Whitehurst-Perry and Jeremiah Perry.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Audrey Fontanilla; children, Serafio E. Fontanilla Jr. (Tonya), Sertesee Fontanilla-Purnell (Bruce), Zion Fontanilla; grandchildren, Jeremiah, Kayla, Serafio III, Baptiste, Serenity, Alakia; siblings, Tyrone Fontanilla; special friends, Whitehurst Family, Perry Family, Caffee Family, Patrick Family, West Family, Patton Family, Woodland Avenue Families and a host of other relatives and friends.

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