Carol Gholson

On Aug. 6, 2007, Carol Gholson departed this life at home.

She was born July 30, 1939, in Georgetown, S.C., to the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ford Sr. She came to visit relatives in Virginia after graduating from high school in South Carolina in 1956. She lived in Hopewell, Va., for a number of years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Richard Gholson; her brother, Arthur Ford (Modestine); and her adopted mother, Susan Johnson.

Carol was employed by Artech Janitorial Service and worked at Fort Lee for a number of years. She was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church where she served in several capacities, musician for the gospel chorus and male chorus, beautification committee, and church sexton.

Carol played the piano for several area churches including Mt. Hope Senior Choir, Powell's Creek Senior Choir, Three Sister's Group, Union Baptist Senior Choir and GW King, Mount Calvary Senior Choir, The Lord's Church and Frederick L. Ray Choir. Carol collected and contributed towards the Food Bank of Virginia and the Cancer Awareness Drive of Virginia. She aided the poor and needy in the Tri-City area. She was also a member of the local SCLC and NAACP chapters.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories seven children, Charles Gholson of Texas, Jackie King (Keith) of North Carolina, Willie L. Gholson, Ruth D. Gholson, Carolyn Dixon (Terry), Dorethia "Rita" Gholson and Calvin Washington, all of Virginia; former son-in-law, Otis Tyler Sr. of Virginia; former daughter-in-law, Robin Gholson of Virginia; nine grandchildren, Bruce Gholson, Calvin Brown, Alethia Tyler, Carol Brown, Otis "OJ" Tyler, Charles Joshua Gholson, Davon Lane, Nikki Lane and Rashawn Lane; two brothers, the Rev. Robert Ford III (Janie) of Plantersville, S.C., Willie Edward Ford (Jean) of Georgetown, S.C.; adopted grandmother, Viola Greene; adopted sisters, Lillie Johnson, Josie Cuff and Anna Draper; adopted children, Tangalia "Tammy" Shoats, Calvin Pilgrim, Rhonda Mitchell and Patricia Mason; cousins, Willie Mae Claiborne and family, Naomi Mease James and family, Howard Lee Mease; a host of nephews, nieces, Mr. and Mrs. Claiborne Cooke, Deacon Bobby Cross and Leticia Walton, and many devoted friends.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. The Rev. William Roberts, pastor, will officiate. Interment will be in Appomattox Cemetery. Family members will assemble at 2 p.m. at the residence the day of the service and may be contacted by calling (804) 541-8339.

Funeral arrangements are being provided to the Gholson family by the staff of Turner-Bland Funeral Home. The Rev. William N. Bland Jr., funeral director, www.blandenterprisesinc.com.