Richard Thomas Milam Sr.

Richard Thomas (Dick) Milam Sr., died peacefully at his residence on February 14, 2009, at the age of eighty. He was born in the Laurel Grove community of Pittsylvania County on December 20, 1928, to the late Joseph Thomas and Beulah Walton Milam. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by two brothers, Dr. Joseph W. Milam and William E. Milam. Dick is survived by his wife of 55 years, Majorie Agee Milam, of the residence; and his mother-in-law, Hattie S. Agee. He is also survived by a son, Dr. Richard T. Milam Jr. and wife, Belinda H. Milam, of Forest, Va.; and a daughter, the Rev. Susan Milam Hannah and husband, the ,Rev. James Hannah, of Dry Fork, Va. Also surviving are seven grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren, Kevin Hurt and wife, Amy, and their sons, William and Nathan, Lindsay Milam Finch and husband, Derek, Sarah Milam, Stuart Hannah, James Hannah, Timothy Hannah, Rebekah Hannah and fiancé, Zach Tinsley. He is also survived by two sisters, Dr. Frances Stoneburner and husband, Dr. John Stoneburner, Mary Jo Plyler and husband, Earle Plyler; and by his brother, Harry Milam and wife, Margaret Milam; and by two sisters-in-law, Peggy Milam and Katherine Milam; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Dick was a 1953 graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in agriculture and later earned his M.Ed. also from Tech. He was an avid Hokie fan and attended most home football games for over fifty years. He also had a twenty year history of military service and retired with the rank of Major. He retired from Ferrum College after twenty seven years of service where he taught agriculture and managed the college's dairy. He also started his own dairy and was instrumental in the organizing of a local dairy co-op which became a part of Dairymen Incorporated, a large marketing cooperative in the Southeastern United States. He was a part of the founding board of directors of Dairymen Inc. and a Virginia representative to it for many years. The family will receive friends Monday evening, February 16, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Flora Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, Va., where services will be conducted Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at 11 a.m. by the Rev. James Hannah. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at Danville Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Carilion Hospice, 180 Floyd Ave, Rocky Mount, Va. 24151 or the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service Rocky Mount, Va., www.florafuneralserice.com.