JAMES RYLAND HAMLETT

HAMLETT, James Ryland, 69, of Victoria died peacefully on October 10, 2011. He was born on May 1, 1942 to Louise Cobb Hamlett and Robert Courtney Hamlett, who at that time lived in the village of Cullen, Va. Ryland moved with his parents to the town of Victoria at the age of two. He is survived by his devoted wife of 45 years, Anne Cordle Hamlett who was his high school sweetheart. He is also survived by his daughter, Meredith Page Spencer and her husband, Calvin S. Spencer Jr.; his son, James Ryland Hamlett Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth Yon Hamlett; and his grandchildren, Ben, Caroline, and Kate Spencer, and James Ryland Hamlett III, all of Kenbridge. Other survivors include his sister, Brenda Hamlett Smith and her husband, Dan of Lake Charles, La.; and two brothers, Steve Hamlett and wife, Wanda of Keysville, and Jeff Hamlett and wife, Lizzy of Kenbridge. Ryland was a member of the Victoria Christian Church, where he served as treasurer for 37 years. He was a trustee of the church at the time of his death. He retired after a stroke in 1995 from Southside Electric Cooperative in Crewe. His last position there was Manager of Human Resources, a job for which he was well-suited because of his love of people. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Benchmark Community Bank, where he had served as Vice-Chairman, and he was also chairman of the Lunenburg County Industrial Development Authority. He had been a member of the Lunenburg County Board of Education (1985-1992) and the Board of Directors of STEPS. He had also served in a number of capacities with the Virginia Employment Commission. Ryland will be remembered as a man of faith in God and faith in his fellow man. His optimistic attitude and sense of humor helped him to overcome physical handicaps which he handled without complaint. A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2 p.m. at the Victoria Christian Church. Interment will be in the Fowlkes family plot at Lakeview Cemetery, Victoria. The family will receive visitors at all times at the Hamlett home, "Woodpark," 689 Fowlkes Rd., Victoria. While flowers are appreciated, memorial donations may be made to the Victoria Christian Church, P.O. Box 1214, Victoria, Va. 23974 or to the CMH Foundation Capital Campaign, P O Box 90, South Hill, Va. 23970. Online condolences may be made at: www.staplesfh.com Staples Funeral Home Victoria, in charge of services. 434-696-5502.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.