Jim H. LaGrand

Mr. Jim Henry LaGrand was born on February 18, 1946 in Hatchechubbee, AL.  The youngest of 12 children, Jim was born to Rozell LaGrand and Nannie Smith LaGrand.

A dedicated family man, Jim leaves behind his devoted wife of over 50 years, Ruby; two children Sonya LaGrand of Newark, DE and Reginald LaGrand of Petersburg, VA; three sisters, Cora Scruggs of Atlanta, GA, Betty Covington of Jacksonville, FL, Benella Newsome of Hatchechubbee, AL; two brothers, Rozell Jr. of Brooklyn, NY, and Masie LaGrand of Hurtsboro, AL; sisters-in-law, Mattie LaGrand of  Hatchechubbee, AL, Armandie LaGrand of Phenix City, AL, Earlene LaGrand of Hurtsboro, AL; and a host of loving nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. 

Jim was educated in the Russell County Alabama Public School System and went on to attend the vocational school where he specialized in upholstery.  His career took an unexpected turn when he was drafted into the United States Army. There, Jim served in Vietnam until he was wounded and sent back to the U.S.

He continued his military career and eventually settled in Fort Lee, VA as a fabric repairman and instructor for over 17 years before retiring.  Jim went back to his roots and leveraged his skills in upholstery to successfully open his own small business, working alongside the Halifax Street Business Association.    

When illness took away his passion for sewing, Jim busied himself with his fervent memberships to several organizations:  Disabled American Veterans Chapter 47, Mark Matthews Chapter of Buffalo Soldiers, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 622, and volunteering at McGuire Hospital.

Jim was an active member of Emmanuel Worship Center in Petersburg, VA.  He loved to participate in outreach and men’s breakfast. Some of his favorite pastimes were playing and watching baseball and he enjoyed watching “cowboy pictures.” 

Jim was always willing to help others and often gave rides to others that needed one.  Many would always know Jim was around by his infectious laugh.  Jim was a dependable and honorable man who loved his family deeply.

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Monday, March 1, 2021 in the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, Pastor Joseph Green, eulogist. The interment to follow at Virginia Veterans Cemetery.

Please follow the CDC and State of Virginia guidelines.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.