All Saints’ Day is a time to remember those who have passed away within a faith community. Micah marks this liturgical celebration with our annual All Saints’ Day Neighborhood Remembrance Service.
Each year, we gather with members of our community to honor and remember Micah neighbors who have died over the past year. Some were unhoused at the time of their death, some had achieved housing. All of them shared a part of their lives with us and gave us the opportunity to care for them.
The chronically homeless spend much of their daily lives trying to stay under the radar, to go unnoticed. But as individuals created in the image of God, they have gifts, unique qualities, loves and contributions for which they will be remembered. We endeavor to shine a light on those qualities during this annual tradition.
This year our service on the Methodist Green at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church honored 18 individuals. Our Street Church Choir performed, and Micah neighbors delivered an original poem as part of the liturgy.
Please take a moment to reflect on the names, photos and stories below of those honored in our 2026 service.
William “Billy” Cooper, 68
William Cooper, born on February 19, 1957, passed away on December 17, 2025, after a lengthy illness.
The former Stafford Sheriff always talked about the “Cooper Boys.” Billy and his late brothers Pee Wee and Mike earned that legendary reputation. But Billy’s legend far surpassed what he earned from the law. He was the street homeless version of a CEO. He knew the meaning of relationships, how to tell a story, and what it meant to look out for a community.
If you ever became homeless, Billy was the man you wanted by your side. He would panhandle for you, teach you how to be homeless, go to jail for you. He sat in the hospital with many friends when they died, and would share boots he could no longer use with others who might not have any.
While Billy had the stereotypical look of a homeless man, he was quite aware of his power to influence the story. He was a key participant in an awareness campaign that Micah developed with cardboard signs. It was Billy’s idea to add signs that told the true story, such as, “I am more than this.”
Billy also had a soft side. Winnie the Pooh was among his favorites. He is survived by his significant other, Kristen and sister Debbie.
Tammy Cook
Tammy lived in the car with her husband, Mark, until she became very ill and ended up in a nursing home under hospice care. She passed away on October 12.
Isaac Franklin, 33
His given name was Isaac; but somewhere along the way, he picked up the name “Gabriel.” He very much believed that he had had a holy encounter in a dream; and that he was supposed to live life as a guardian angel. One who spoke the truth. One who helped. One who defied the odds, when all was stacked against him.
Isaac’s life told us something about where we needed to pay attention and how we could be better neighbors. He was not shy about speaking up when someone needed help.
He wrote letters from jail with messages about things people needed. There were many people new to the street who would come to Micah knowing just what to ask for. “I met this guy named Gabriel,” they’d say. “He told me you could help me.” The systems and services in this community were not always kind to Isaac, yet he was always trying to help someone else get what they needed.
Isaac’s tattoos made a statement about his suffering and his perseverance. He was never at a loss for words. he communicated through letters, through art, through prophetic messages. He lived with challenges that many people never see and few fully understand. His journey was hard, and he fought battles that were largely invisible to the world; but he never held back on the truth we all needed to hear.
Isaac died tragically in incident in Baltimore.
Kenneth “Kenny” Greene, 69
Kenneth Greene, more affectionately known as “Kenny,” passed away on January 8, 2026. He was found deceased in a shed in Fredericksburg. Kenny was born in Washington, D.C., on September 26, 1956. He attended public schools in Arlington and graduated from Wakefield Senior High School in June of 1974.
Kenny was a gifted trumpet player. He was an original member of the local Arlington band Armageddon in Green Valley throughout the seventies. His talent also earned him a place performing with the Redskins band at the legendary RFK Stadium, where he contributed to the vibrant musical atmosphere and shared his passion for music with many.
In 1978, Kenny took the significant step of enlisting in the United States Army. He served his country during the Cold War era in Europe, where his commitment and abilities were evident throughout his time in the military. Kenny’s service was recognized with several honors, including medals for expert hand grenade and sharpshooter M16 marksmanship. His dedication culminated in an honorable discharge, reflecting the respect he earned from his peers and superiors.
Kenny was known for his kindness and generosity, always willing to lend a helping hand to others and freely share whatever he had. His compassionate nature made a lasting impact on those around him, and his selflessness was evident throughout his life.
He inherited his father’s sense of humor and was always quick with a corny joke, bringing smiles and laughter to family and friends. Even in challenging times, Kenny’s faith remained unwavering.
Kenny married Dana on March 8, 2006. Throughout their marriage, he was a loving and devoted husband, always attentive to Dana’s well-being and happiness.
On Thursday, January 8th, God called Kenny from labor to reward. He leaves to mourn his beloved wife, his three sisters; as well as a host of other relatives and friends who mourn his loss and cherish his memory. Kenny’s final resting place is at Quantico National Memorial Cemetery in Prince William County.
Thomas “Tommy” Gum , 44
Thomas passed away on October 4, 2026, after being hit by a car. Born on July 24, 1982, he will always be remembered for his kind heart, his wonderful sense of humor, and the genuine love and compassion he showed to everyone he met. Tommy never knew a stranger. Whether he was speaking with a lifelong friend or someone he had just met, he would always ask, “How are you doing?” And when Tommy asked, he truly wanted to know. He cared about people, listened to their stories, and took the time to make others feel important. When Micah renovated the cold weather shelter, Tommy was a key part of the team.
A devoted Washington Capitals and Washington Nationals fan, Tommy could almost always be found wearing a Capitals or Nationals shirt and hat. He loved following his teams, especially listening to games on the radio. The radio was a special part of Tommy’s life, bringing him the excitement of sports, his favorite music, and his beloved morning radio shows, especially Elliot in the Morning. Give Tommy some steamed crabs, a good game on the radio, and he was a happy man! Tommy also loved the outdoors. He could spend hours fishing, enjoying the peace and simple pleasure of being near the water. He treasured the time he spent hunting with his father and attending NASCAR races. These experiences created memories that would stay with him throughout his life. Tommy also had a special love for the mountains, and it is fitting that his final earthly resting place will be among the beautiful mountains he loved so much.
Throughout his life, Tommy had a wonderful ability to make people laugh. He loved to joke, share stories, and bring smiles to those around him. His humor and personality made him unforgettable to the many people who knew him.
Family meant so much to Tommy. He deeply loved his daughters, Mia Rose and Maddie, and his son, Harper.
Tommy is survived by his loving mother, his stepfather, his father; his stepmother; his daughters, his son; his brother, and his stepsister.
Michael “Mike” Hobby, 63
Mike was born in Durham, North Carolina, on March 20, 1962. He has two sisters who live out of state that he has limited contact with. Mike was never married but had three adult children and three grandchildren, who brought him a lot of joy. Mike worked much of his life as a carpenter, crafting and installing wood cabinets and countertops in various materials. He loved music, dancing and friendship. For a brief time he planted trees with Tree Fredericksburg. He passed away at home after a long illness on March 6, 2026.
Cheryl Jackson, 73
Cheryl was born February 19, 1953, in Richmond, Va., as the second of five children. On October 29, 2025, she transitioned from a nursing home into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior.
Cheryl graduated from Spotsylvania Senior High School in 1971 and attended Germanna Community College.
Cheryl accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized into Zion Hill Baptist Church. Later in her adult life, she rededicated her life to Christ and rejoined Zion Hill Baptist Church until her health no longer allowed her to attend. She was an active member of the choir and was known for singing “He’s Able To Carry You Through.”
She was employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington D.C., where she remained for several years. After the FBI, she worked for Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and the African Methodist Episcopal Church Service and Development Agency (AME-SADA) for several years until her health began to decline.
One of Cheryl’s favorite pastimes was assembling puzzles. She will be fondly remembered for her delicious cooking, especially her famous potato salad, which was a staple at family gatherings and celebrations. Additionally, her keen eye for design made her an extraordinary decorator.
Ann Morse, 66
Ann Marie Morse, born on June 5, 1959, passed away in the hospital after a long illness on January 27, 2026.
Ann made beautiful jewelry and loved dragonflies. Her favorite color was orange. She was a bus driver for special needs kids before retiring.
She was preceded in death by her son Andrew. She is survived by her significant other, Rodney, and a sister in Pennsylvania.
Thomas Norris, 59
Thomas had one older brother and one younger sister, from whom he was estranged for over 25 years. He had one son and one daughter.
Vendell Parker, 63
Vendell had a wicked sense of humor. He often said he liked to play pranks on people just to hear the laughter. He passed away at home on September 3, 2025, in Fredericksburg.
Tommy Pitts, 75
Tommy was known to frequent the Ferry Farm Walmart area, riding his bike or sitting near Sheetz or Walmart.
He was found deceased in his tent in March 2026.
David “Bruce” Ruffner, 50
Bruce passed away in September after a tragic incident behind a convenience store. He was a legendary dumpster diver. Where most people saw trash, Bruce saw possibilities. A bicycle might need a little work—and perhaps some duct tape—but it still held the promise of freedom. A discarded cat carrier could be rescued from behind PetSmart. A washing machine could somehow be carried back to camp—with a strong back and a bicycle, of course. People could repair, repurpose, share, or make beautiful again what others threw away.
Bruce’s life was not easy. He lived through homelessness, addiction, jail, injury, and more uncertainty than anyone should have to carry. He knew both sides of rescue: he was often the rescuer, and there were times when he desperately needed to be rescued.
He was a middle child who grew up with two sisters who would unmercifully dress him up as a girl. He had a hearty laugh of his own, and he loved helping other people find theirs.
He was creative, artistic, and endlessly resourceful. One time he argued with his case manager about planting rotting vegetables in his backyard. Much to everyone’s surprise, those vegetables grew—and produced an even greater harvest for Bruce to give away. Giving plants was one of Bruce’s trademarks.
Bruce rode bicycles. He fished. He walked barefoot. He explored caves along the Rappahannock, climbed the bridge over the train tracks to see the world from another perspective, and loved doing backflips. He loved music, birthday celebrations, coconut cake, and dancing. He was a “supertaster” who could turn an omelet into an adventure by putting nearly everything in it.
Bruce could make beauty from nature, a meal from whatever was available, transportation from a barely functioning bicycle, and generosity from very little.
Henry Sealock “Junior”, 62
Junior was the oldest of three brothers. He grew up in Stafford and worked in construction for several years. He was Laura’s father and Jack, Meghan, and Caitlin’s grandfather. Junior talked often of his daughter and wanted people to know about her.
Words like “legendary” and “legacy” come up when people remember Junior. He would sometimes get in squabbles with others on the street. It didn’t take much to break it up, but in the talking that came afterward, he always acknowledged where he went wrong and that he cared about doing better.
For many years, Junior would show up and sit in the back row of the Fredericksburg Baptist sanctuary. When street church started, he would diligently show up even when his health made it hard.
Junior was the kind of friend you really wanted on the street. Junior and Bobby Baker were masters of mischief for a long time. Junior and his long-time roommate, Wayne Payne, may have been patched together with Elmer’s glue and Scotch tape, but there was something about their friendship that allowed them both to make up for where the other fell short.
Junior was an original “river rat,” which is what those who lived and camped on the riverbank together before there was a Micah affectionately called themselves. You earned the right to be a river rat if you hung around long enough that you fell in the river. Junior fell into the river many times and also pulled people out.
Although Junior was one of the last of that original crew, it is not lost that Micah’s philosophy and how we have learned to love people belong to him and many of the friends who passed before him.
Junior was always running out of money or cigarettes or food because he was giving it to someone else that he thought needed it more. The privilege to participate in his life was an active witness to the kind of community we can be, and where we still have so much work left to do.
Carrie Sidberry, 53
Carrie passed on May 24, 2026, after living on the street and experiencing a sudden illness. She was born on August 15, 1972. She is survived by a son and her significant other, Robert.
Richard Sisson, 73
Richard worked in construction, and for a time he served as a sidewalk monitor at Micah. He was friend to many over the years. He liked women, cars, and classic rock, especially Led Zeppelin.
When he was on the street, he epitomized survival. One time he remained outside through a two-foot snowstorm and wouldn’t come inside until it stopped.
He is survived by a brother, a son, and a daughter.
Mary Stone, 62
Mary was married once, but her husband moved to Tennessee in the mid-1990s. She had six children total, but her oldest son died approximately. 10 years ago. She is survived by one sister and the other preceded her in death.
Mary loved cleaning and taking care of everyone else. She was a great cook, even though she ate like a bird. She loved animals, especially the cats at Berclair, where she lived, and Rocco the therapy dog. She also loved puzzles and coloring. She ALWAYS had a puzzle going at Respite and Berclair. And she loved country music.
She was homeless for a short time and regained housing for a few months before passing away from terminal cancer.
Reggie Washington, 39
Reggie, affectionately known as “Outlawrhyda,” entered eternal rest on December 29, 2025. He was born on August 19, 1986, in Dale City, Virginia, on the floorboard of a car, a story remembered as a testament to his strength and unique beginning.
Reggie was a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend. He loved cooking and found joy in preparing meals for others. He was a wonderful uncle, a caring brother, and a devoted son whose presence brought warmth and laughter to his family.
Music was close to Reggie’s heart, especially the work of Tupac Shakur, whom he deeply admired. Reggie was also a dedicated employee at Captain D’s in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he truly loved his job and took pride in his work.
Reggie leaves to cherish his memory his loving mother, his sisters, his brothers, his nephews, his nieces; along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and many other relatives and friends.
Sherry Williams, 61
Sherry was a mother, daughter, and beautiful sister. She had a deep love within her for all of her children and grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and all of her other dearly loved family .
Sherry had many struggles and hardships that she faced throughout her life, but she had many things that brought her joy. She loved animals and had such a tender heart for them. She also loved gardening and found beauty in watching things grow and bloom. Sherry enjoyed baking and found beauty in the simple joys in life, which reflected something beautiful about who she was.
She will be remembered for the beauty in her heart, the love she gave in her own way.