Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
RUFUS SHANDS Obituary
He was born in Dinwiddie County, Va., on March 23, 1947, to the late Otis A. Coles Shands and the Lloyd H. Shands Sr. He attended public schools in Dinwiddie County and was a graduate of the Southside Class of 1965. At an early age he confessed Christ and joined the Little Zion Baptist Church, Carson, and in later years he became a member of the Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Petersburg. He was preceded in death by two siblings, Lloyd Shands and Evelyn Shands Neblett.
He attended several institutions of higher learning, and was a graduated from the Virginia State College and matriculated on to do further studies at Liberty University. He retired from the Hopewell Public School System as automotive service teacher, following an auto accident that disabled him. Rufus will be missed by those all whom loved him dearly.
He leaves to cherish his memories, three daughters, Letitia C. Shands, Lavita Shands Perry (Vincent) and Zaneta S. Bland (LaWayne Sr.); grandchildren, Kendra Shands, Kayla Shands, Kandis Frenzley, Kelleigh Shands, Dondre Shands, Jacinta Brown, Jazmine Brown, Jamone Brown, Quinton Staten, Brianna Shands, Mireya Stanford, Zakiyyah Bland and LeWayne Bland; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth S. Howard; a brother, K. Benjamin Shands (Rosemary); and a sister-in-law, Lydia D. Shands; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends, to include devoted friends, among them, Edith Brown and Alvah J. Walston Jr.
The family will receive friends at the residence of his daughters, Lavita Perry, 1220 Grant Court, Petersburg, and Zaneta Bland, 4425 Martinson Lane, Prince George, and they may be contacted at 541-7812 or 536-3294.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at the Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Petersburg, with the pastor, the Rev. Jeffrey L. Reaves Sr., officiating. Public viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home, with family visitation from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph M. Johnson and Son Funeral Home, 530 S. Sycamore St., Petersburg, 804-863-4411.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for RUFUS SHANDS
P Land
January 13, 2013
Losing someone that was truly loved is difficult. The Bible comforts us at Ecclesiates 3:11. “Everything he has made pretty in its time. Even to time indefinite he has put in their hearts.”
Shannon Turner
January 12, 2013
To the Shands family:
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Mr. Shands at Hopewell high school. He will truly be missed. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Ernestine Shands Robinson
January 12, 2013
My sincere condolences go out to Benjamin, Ruth and Rufus' (Nip) family. I regret that I will not be able to attend but know that I will keep you in my prayers.
Gwendolyn Ellis
January 11, 2013
Condolences to the Shands Family and may God be with you at this time.
Doris Martin Neal
January 11, 2013
To Mrs. Ruth Howard, My heartfelt condolences in the loss of your brother. These condolences are extended to the entire Shands family. Kendra, Kayla..... I love you muchess, my baby girls.
1SG(R) Cabrera
January 11, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
January 11, 2013
Christine Williams ,classmate of 1965,may our Lord and savior (Jesus)bless each of you with peace and love and joy. Macon, GA.
Dorothy Gathers
January 10, 2013
Condolences and god be with the family of Rufus
Classmate of 65
Mary Mustian
January 10, 2013
Zaneta my heart goes out to you and your entire family. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you doing your time of grief. Just remember that your father is with you always in your heart.
Dondre Shands
January 10, 2013
Grandpa I am goin to miss you. We had fun together.Sorry u will miss my graduation...but you are always in my heart
Fran Y. Thomas
January 9, 2013
My heart and prayers go out to the Shands family. I used to work with Mr. Shands he was truly a sweet person whom will be missed.
DiMario Graves
January 9, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are extended to the Shands family. Mr. Shands will truly be missed especially for his inspiration on us students to excel and be strong men. I'd like to say thank you for helping develop myself and the rest of the guys. May your life be celebrated to the utmost respect. God Bless The Family, Friends, Students and Co-Workers of Mr. Rufus Shands
Monica Benjamin (Class Vice President)
January 9, 2013
Sending condolences on behalf of the Class of 2004 to your family . Mr. Shands was an inspiration to many of the young men in our class. He will Sending condolences on behalf of the Class of 2004 to your family. Mr. Shands was an inspiration to many of the young men in our class. He will never be forgotten and we thank him for the many lessons learned not only to help our gentlemen inside of the classroom but also outside.
Brenda S. Pelham
January 9, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with your family in this time of bereavement. Mr. Shands was an outstanding teacher at Hopewell High; I enjoyed being his colleague for over seven years. His gentle spirit has been etched in our hearts forever. God's Love Be With You All....
January 9, 2013
We share the loss but we also share the precious memories that will always be with us for having the opportunity to have walked and talked with Mr. Shands as a co-worker and a friend!
Prayerfully - Walter Broner and Family
January 9, 2013
Our sincere prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Rufus.
Cordially yours,
The Concerned Black Men of Petersburg, Inc.
January 9, 2013
To The Family of Rufus Shands,
May God Comfort You and Keep You Safe During This Time. Please know that I met Rufus when he was teaching class, I could tell he really liked his job and cared about his teaching, He will be missed by all who knew him,and learned from him.
JJ Smith-PG Va
Felicia Davenport
January 9, 2013
I am sorry to hear of Mr. Shands passing. He will be very missed, and May his soul rest in peace.
Tywanda Briggs, LPN
January 8, 2013
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the close family & friends of Mr. Shands. Look to God for strength and reassurance during your trying time. I was blessed with the opportunity to have wonderful daily conversations with him when he became my resident at HHCC. He will be deeply missed by many. I am truly saddened by his passing. Praying You Rest in Paradise...
Brenda Powell
January 8, 2013
To the Shands Family:
My name is Brenda Powell I was Mr. Shands aide at the nursing home. I became very close to him and will miss him dearly.
GOD bless you all and REST IN PEACE MY DEAR FRIEND
Robin Ellis
January 8, 2013
To the Shands Family:
Sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Shands. Cherish all of his precious memories and it shall bring comfort and peace to your heart.
January 8, 2013
Remember him well. He always had a quiet way about him. He was always nice and smiling. Was happy to work with him at Hopewell High School.
Delanie Stephenson
Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results
Make a Donation
in RUFUS SHANDS's name
Memorial Events
for RUFUS SHANDS
Funeral services provided by:
Joseph M. Johnson & Son Funeral Home - Petersburg530 S. Sycamore Street, Petersburg, VA 23803
How to support RUFUS's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor RUFUS SHANDS's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
