Alvin L. Shands

Mr. Alvin Lee Shands (Doddie), 67, of 100 S. Kippax St., Apt. 311, Hopewell, departed this life on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, at the Riverview on The Appomattox Nursing Home, Hopewell.

He was the fourth child born to the late Sonnie and Emma Shands, and attended the Hopewell City Public School System. Alvin enjoyed fishing and his pride and joy was his bicycle. He was preceded in death by one brother, Roy Manson, and four sisters, Jeanetta Mallory, Mildred Bryant, Vanessa and Celestine Shands.

Left to cherish his memories are: one son, John T. Carter of Hopewell; four sisters, Alice Mae Shands of Hopewell, Brenda M. Carter (Melvin) of Dinwiddie, Francine Tatum (Joseph) of Newport News and Darlene Shands of Raleigh, N.C.; eight brothers, Willie, Sonnie Jr. (Jean), Reginald, Harold, Leroy and Tyrone Shands, all of Hopewell, Curtis Shands of Richmond and Cecil Shands (Sandra) of Chester; one aunt, Mrs. Rosa Winfield of Petersburg; one uncle, Mr. Johnnie Walden Sr. (Dorothy) of Pittsburgh; sister-in-law, Bertha Manson of Petersburg; one very devoted friend, Ms. Lillie Jones of Chester; a number of nieces and nephews, among them three devoted, Crystal Armstead (Crissy) of Hopewell, Danielle Williams of Chester and Dione Wyatt; special friends, Connie and William Callen, Patricia and Richard Wyatt and family, Virginia and Robert Robinson and family, all of Chester. Family may be contacted at 731-4277 or 458-7164.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, at the Chapel of William N. Bland & Son, Petersburg. The Rev. Jeffrey Reaves Sr., pastor of Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Petersburg, will officiate. Interment will follow in Mount Sinai Community Cemetery, Prince George.

Arrangements entrusted to the staff of Turner-Bland Funeral Home, Hopewell, the Rev. William N, Bland Jr., funeral director.