Conaway Bernard “C.B.” Haskins, Jr. departed this life in the early hours of September 5, 2018 at VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital South Hill, Virginia. He was born on June 21, 1944 in Richmond, VA, the oldest surviving child of Conaway B. Haskins, Sr. and Cleopatra Moody Haskins of Red Oak, VA. Conaway began his grade school education at the historic Thyne Institute in Chase City, VA, and later graduated from Charlotte County Public Schools. He was baptized at an early age at Saint Level Baptist Church in Red Oak, VA where he would later serve as a Deacon, Trustee, and as Church Treasurer.

In 1962, he began his journey to Virginia State University where he majored in music education, was a leader in the legendary “Marching 100” marching band, the symphonic orchestra, and the university chorus. While at VSU, he met his future wife, Jacqueline Sanford. After graduating with his Bachelors of Music Education degree in 1967, he enlisted in the United States Army rising to the rank of E-4 and was honorably discharged in 1970. Later that year, he began his career as an educator in Lunenburg County Public Schools where he served 36 years as an elementary Music Teacher, middle and high school Band Director, Assistant Principal; he retired as Principal of Central High School in 2006. He returned to his beloved VSU to earn his Master’s in Education (Administration and Supervision) in 1980.

In addition to his work in the public schools, he continued as a music educator in the community by teaching private piano and instrumental lessons to children and adults and by directing church choirs in Lunenburg and Mecklenburg counties. For nearly 40 years, he served as Minister of Music for Friendship Baptist Church in Kenbridge, and he co-founded and served as Director of the highly-regarded Saint Level Baptist Church Combined Choir. His choirs regularly performed traditional African-American Gospel, Negro Spirituals, and Holiday Cantatas for church and community audiences across the various regions of Virginia and North Carolina.

C.B. was an active citizen leader in Lunenburg County and Southside Virginia. When Lunenburg County decided to name the roads, he was selected to serve on the committee. He was a long-time member of the Lunenburg Rotary Club where he was elected President and was selected as a Paul Harris Fellow. One of his special Rotary projects was to serve as the chair of the “January is Rotary Month” Committee. He was an active member of the Piedmont Humanities Council and the VSU Lunenburg Alumni Chapter. After retiring, he served on the Lunenburg County Social Services Board and various civic committees. Continuing his love for music, he and his wife, Jackie, were honored in May, 2018, by the Music Department of VSU for their financial contributions supporting the Trojan Explosion Marching Band.

C. B. is preceded in death by his parents, Conaway B., Sr. and Cleopatra Moody Haskins, and two brothers.

C.B. was a strong family man whose memory will be cherished by his loving wife of over 50 years, Jacqueline Elizabeth Sanford Haskins, who faithfully served as his primary caretaker. He leaves behind a proud legacy in the form of his son, Conaway III and his wife Erika, his daughter, Melodee Joye, and his beloved grandson, Noah Ellington. He is survived by his devoted brothers, Alex and wife Charlene, James and his wife Deborah, and his sister-in-law, Wanda Sanford Hill and her husband Sidney Hill. He was a proud uncle to nephews James Haskins, Jr., Jonathan Haskins and his wife Anhj Haskins, JaJuan Smith, Christopher Hill and Jade Hill and wife, Shalanda. Mother-in-law, Laura Sanford. Also, his uncle Ferman and his wife, Mattie; his aunts, Lola M. Stokes, B. C. Hopkins, Anita Moody. and Margaret Moody; his many cousins on both side of the family. He was proud to share his children with special friends, Charlie and Gloria Allen, who have been dedicated godparents to Conaway III and Melodee.

If anyone wishes to honor his life and loyalty to VSU, contributions can be sent to: Trojan Explosion Booster Association, c/o Barbara Steverson, President, 1726 Hungary Road, Henrico, Virginia 23228. Hail State!

Funeral services were held Monday, September 10, 11 a.m. at Saint Matthew’s Baptist Church, Kenbridge, with the Reverend Joan Moody Joseph, Eulogist and the Reverend Kevin A. Robinson, Officiant. Interment was in the Saint Level Baptist Church Cemetery, Clarksville, Virginia.

S.P. Jones and Son Funeral Home served the family.