Roland M. Christian Sr.

Mr. Roland McKinley Christian Sr. entered into eternal rest on Sept. 4, 2010.

He was a devoted father, grandfather and brother. Mr. Christian was born April 1, 1923, to the late Leroy Christian and Mary Lizzie Nimo Christian, in Princess Anne County, now the city of Virginia Beach, Va. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sadie; grandson, Kristopher Christian; and sisters, Lorrine Gallup and Margaret Christian.

Mr. Christian was the third child of eight. He was educated in the Princess Anne County school system and joined New Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church at an early age.

Because of a leg injury at the age of 15 years, family and neighbors assisted him in attending barber college in Petersburg, where he received his barber's license. There he met and married his beloved wife, Sadie. They were married for 63 years before her passing in January of this year.

Mr. Christian loved helping and being around people, which was evident in his chosen occupations.

He retired from Central State Hospital as an attendant after 51 years, and Fort Lee as a barber after 57 years of service.

He was a quiet and gentle man, who always had a smile and friendly word for everyone. He enjoyed being with his family, sitting in his garage and working in his yard.

Mr. Christian is survived by his loving and devoted children, Roland McKinley Christian Jr. of Petersburg and Mary Christian Williams of Hampton, Va.; the joy of his life, his grandchildren, Rolanda Baskerville (James), Chesterfield, Va., Christian Williams, Alexandria, Va., Caryn Williams, Philadelphia, Candace Reeves (Rufus), North Dakota, NeKeisha Ferguson, Richmond, Va., Rashaunda Christian, Maryland and Roland Christian III (Ashley), Hopewell, Va.; and his great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Baskerville, Zanaviah Christian, Christiana AWilliams, Jada Childress and Rihanna Christian. He is also survived by brothers, Andrew Christian (Viola), Ralph Christian (Dorothy) of Chesapeake, Va.; and sisters, Mildred Wyatt of Norfolk, Va., Cecelia Mason (William), Carrie Simmons (James), all of Chesapeake, Va.; a host of relatives and friends, and a caring, devoted caregiver and friend, Doris Beasley.

Remains rest at the Tucker's Funeral Home, 415 Halifax St., Petersburg. Funeral services will be conducted at noon Saturday from the Zion Baptist Church, Byrne Street, Petersburg; Dr. A.J. White, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in the Dinwiddie Memorial park. The remains will rest at the church at 10:30 a.m. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 on Friday evening at the Tucker's Funeral Home, 415 Halifax St., Petersburg. Relatives and friends will kindly assemble at the above residence at 11 a.m. Arrangements by the Tucker's Funeral Home, 415 Halifax St., Petersburg. A.A. Tucker, funeral director.