Roland Hargrove Sr.

Roland E. Hargrove Sr. VIRGINIA BEACH - Roland E. Hargrove Sr., 93, of Princess Anne Road, passed away June 16, 2010 in his home. Born Sept. 11, 1916 he was a native of Princess Anne County and was the second of three boys born to Jesse L. and Annie W. Hargrove. Roland and his two brothers, Ernest L. and Jesse F., grew up on the Hargrove Family Farm in Kempsville. The boys were fortunate to live next to their maternal grandparents, Benjamin Franklin and Annie M. Davis. Roland graduated from Kempsville High School in 1936 and attended Norfolk College. He was a lifelong member of Kempsville Baptist Church and was recently recognized as the oldest and longest living member of the church. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Evelyn Burton Hargrove. He is survived by a daughter, Diane H. Schmidt and husband Curtis; two sons, Buddy Hargrove and wife Jody and John Hargrove and wife Evie; a granddaughter, Jeanne Horton and husband Keith and two great-grandchildren, Tyler Horton and Casey Horton, all of Virginia Beach. Roland retired from Smith Douglas/Borden after many years of dedicated service. He never met a stranger and became an instant friend with everyone. He was always chided about mowing the lawn in his coat and tie on Saturdays. His love for animals kept his yard full of birds, squirrels, deer and raccoons. He was a member of the Princess Anne Masonic Lodge, the Khedive Shrine Temple, Scottish Rite Bodies, Tall Cedars of Lebanon and the Royal Order of Jesters Court, No. 75. He supported the preservation of Princess Anne County and loved to tell stories about years and people gone by. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 21, in H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Keith Williard. A private immediate family only entombment service will be held Monday prior to the memorial service. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 20, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach Historical Society, 2040 Potters Road, Virginia Beach, or a charity of your choice. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family through hdoliver.com.