James R. Myrick

Deacon James Roosevelt Myrick, age 65, of 536 S. Azelea Road, Petersburg, departed this life Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at his residence.

He was born Jan. 31, 1944, to the late Cora Lee Myrick and Albert Harris. Deacon Myrick attended Southside High School in Dinwiddie and later was employed at Central State Hospital, where he retired from food service. He was a member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church and a member of the Diaconate Ministry, Usher Board, Pastor's Aide, Food Service, a Young Sounders sponsor and Boy Scout instructor. James was preceded in death by Ethel and Luggee Parham; his sisters, Ida Mae Wilkins and Margaret Gurley; his brothers, Major Lee Myrick, Tommie Parham, Leroy Parham and Willie Parham.

He leaves to cherish his memories: adopted niece, Patricia Starks (Ernest); his godson, Deacon Joseph Blakes (Lucy); devoted nieces and nephews, Audrey Clanton, Rose Massenburg (Calvin), William Myrick (Joyce), Karen Lyons (Keith), William Wilkins (Karlene) and Percell Wilkins; great-nephew, William Myrick (Boo); a brother, James H. Parham; a sister, Eunice Stith; a brother-in-law, Edward Gurley; two sisters-in-law, Elsie Parham and Mable Parham; a godgrandchild and a godgreat-grandchild; and a devoted friend, Gregory McCoy. The family would like to thank Crater Hospice, Veronica Brown, Caroline Turek, Caroline Johnson, Chaplain Graham Patterson and the Good Shepherd Baptist family.

A funeral service will be held noon Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Petersburg, where the Rev. Jeffrey Reaves, pastor, will officiate. The interment will be in Dinwiddie Memorial Park, Dinwiddie. The family will assemble at the residence one hour prior to the service.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the staff of William N. Bland and Son Funeral Home, Petersburg. Please send online condolences to www.blandenterprisesinc.com.