Henry Sterling Waff, 81,passed away March 20, 2021. Henry was born in Mt. Herman, NC to the late Ernest Linwood Waff and Lillian Virginia Hardesty Waff. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Mary Francis Waff, James Waff, Grace Moore, Beatrice Murray, Willie-etta Tackett, Betty Hubbard, and Carey Waff. Henry proudly served his country in the United States Marines for 22 years achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. Upon his retirement, he worked as a correctional officer for 21 years. He was honored to have volunteered at Harvest Assembly of God, House of Blessing, and the Food Bank for over 18 years. He was also involved with Plant A Row. Henry was a strong man with a benevolent heart and if he saw a need he would fill it. He loved spending time with family, long walks in nature, flowers of every variety, going crabbing, trips to the mailbox, and could fix anything. Henry was known as Papaw by all his grands and great-grands and was overwhelmed with delight by their presence. He would always engage in teasing and playful banter bringing laughter and joy to all.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of over 62 years, Eleanor "Ellie" Waff; children, Steve Waff, Angela Rigau (Enrique "Rick"), Tammy Leigh Cain; honorary daughter, Valerie Beary (Steve); granddaughters, Ellie Alered (Jonas), Amanda Miller (Steve), and Rose Simpkins (Brandon); grandsons, Robby Robertson (Leslie), Rickey Bowman (Monica), Michael "Mac" Cain, and Alex Rigau; great-grandchildren, Loralei, Liam, Lachlan, Leif, Clara, Lillian, Stephanie, Owen, Lucas, Eve, Angelique, Rex, Hazel, Rey, and one on the way!; sisters, June Pope (Ron) and Brenda Johnson (John); brothers, Linwood Waff (Gayle), Rudolph "Rudy" Waff (Nancy), Wayne Waff (Glenda); and a host of other family and friends. A heartfelt thank you to his care team Abbey, Stephanie, Alyssa, Amber, Bo, and Mindy who loved him deeply and became family.

The family is inviting friends to pay their respects on Friday, March 26, 2021, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., at Graham Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake. Due to Covid restrictions, the family will not be present during the visitation. A service to celebrate his life to include military honors will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Rudolph "Rudy" Waff officiating. He will be privately laid to rest at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to view the service and to leave a condolence to the family.