IVANA (IVA) LOIS CROSLIN STALLING (SIS) WAS BORN MAY 13, 1928 IN LUNENBURG COUNTY, VIRGINIA THE 2ND CHILD OF JOHN HARRISON CROSLIN AND THE FORMER ALICE MAE CROWDER.  THAT UNION PRODUCED AN OLDER SON, JOHN HARRISON CROSLIN, JR.

SIS BEGAN HER EDUCATION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF LUNENBURG BUT IN 1944, AT THE AGE OF 16, SHE RELOCATED WITH HER FAMILY TO NEWPORT NEWS, VA WHERE SHE COMPLETED HER SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE NEWPORT NEWS PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.  UNDAUNTED BY A REQUIREMENT TO REPEAT A GRADE, ALLEDGEDLY BECAUSE OF THE INFERIORITY OF THE 'RURAL' SCHOOL SYSTEM, AFTER GRADUATION FROM HUNTINGTON HIGH SCHOOL, SHE ATTENDED AND GRADUATED FROM THE PENINSULA BUSINESS COLLEGE.

THAT PORTION OF HER EDUCATION WAS PUNCTUATED BY THE BIRTH OF HER ONLY CHILD, A SON WESLEY, IN 1947.  DURING THAT PERIOD SHE CONTINUED TO WORK IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS, A 'MOM&POP' ENTERPRISE NAMED "ROADSIDE CAFÉ''.  AFTER GRADUATION FROM BUSINESS COLLEGE, SHE SPENT A BRIEF PERIOD IN DETROIT, MI, BUT SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNED TO NEWPORT NEWS TO RESUME HER ROLE IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS.

OVER THE SUBSEQUENT YEARS, SHE CONTINUED TO WORK THE BUSINESS, AFTER THE DEATHS OF HER PARENTS AND 'BUYING OUT' HER BROTHER'S INTEREST, SHE BECAME THE SOLE PROPRIETOR[i].  SHE ATTEMPTED TO EXPAND HER BUSINESSES BY PURCHASING RENTAL PROPERTIES AND LEASING EXPANSION RESTAURANTS.  UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE OF CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS AND THE DEATH OF HER ONLY CHILD IN 2004, THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF HER PRIMARY BUSINESS, THE ROADSIDE, BEGAN TO SUFFER AND HEMORRHAGE FINANCIALLY.

DESPITE HER HEROIC ATTEMPTS TO EMPLOY INNOVATIVE INIATIVES TO STEM THE TIDE, SHE WAS FORCED TO CLOSE AND SELL HER PROPERTIES.  THOUGH THE BUSINESS DID NOT HAVE THE SUCCESSFUL LONGEVITY THAT SHE HAD ENVISIONED, THE ROADSIDE HAD A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY AS A GATHERING PLACE, A SOURCE OF EMPLOYMENT AND HOPE.  HER INITIATIVE, AND BUSINESS ACUMEN WERE INSPIRATIONAL TO MANY AND WILL BE FELT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

IVA WAS PREDECEASED BY HER FATHER, MOTHER, SON AND BROTHER.  SHE IS SURVIVED BY GRANDDAUGHTERS, PROMISE CROSLIN, KEISHA DALLAS-DAVIS, JENNIFER PRICE, ANGEL WASHINGTON AND PATRICE DANIELS ALONG WITH A GRANDSON, JEROME MAYO.  SHE IS ALSO SURVIVED BY A NUMBER OF GREAT- GRANDCHILDREN; GENERATIONS OF NEICES, NEPHEWS AND COUSINS; AS WELL AS INNUMERABLE FRIENDS, AQUAINTANCES AND FORMER CLIENTS.

THE FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR APPRECIATION TO ALL FOR THEIR YEARS OF PATRONAGE AND SUPPORT FOR IVA'S BUSINESSES AND FOR THE PRAYERS AND KIND GESTURES DURING HER DECLINING HEALTH.  KNOW THAT YOUR ROLE IN HELPING SUSTAIN THE CROSLIN 'BLACK BUSINESS PRESENCE' IMPACTED THE FAMILY BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, INPACTED OUR CULTURE.

MANY THANKS,

THE FAMILY

SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS

Viewing will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025 at the funeral home.  The funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.