Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 25, 1992 TAG: 9203250344
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short
Ealey, a lawyer and the oldest member of the General Assembly, missed several days of the 1992 legislative session for treatment of prostate cancer. He was readmitted to the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals on March 9 after breaking his arms trying to avoid a fall at home.
Christina Thompson, Ealey's legislative assistant, said he died about 9:30 p.m. Monday at MCV.
Ealey served on four committees - Corporations, Insurance and Banking; Labor and Commerce; Claims; and Militia and Police.
Gov. Douglas Wilder called Ealey "the essence of a citizen politician, a man with longtime, strong roots to his Richmond community and a heartfelt concern for the safety of his neighbors and the future of our children."
"He was respected among his constituents - a gracious role model and one who truly cared about the well-being of his constituents, colleagues and friends," Wilder said.
The governor ordered all state flags to be flown at half-staff until Ealey's interment.
A native of Kershaw, S.C., Ealey moved with his family to Richmond when he was 1 year old. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Virginia Union University in 1936 and a law degree from Howard University three years later.
Ealey was the widower of Bessie Mae Binford Ealey, who died in 1985.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.