VAPT REMEMBERS
Rewel A. "Buster" Bynum passed away on November 16, 2023. He was born to the late Romie Lee and Natilee Hodge Bynum, June 4, 1931, on the family farm in Mecklenburg Co., Va. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Johnson Bynum; his brother, Charles Bynum; and his sister, Kathryn Reese. Buster is survived by two sons, Stephen and Ryan; three wonderful grandsons, Tyler, Jason and especially Jake, the youngest; and Sophie, the Blue Pitbull. He is also survived by his sister, Virginia Steagall (Donald); and several nieces and nephews. He was a graduate of Chase City High School, the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University. Buster served a Director of Pupil Transportation in public school systems on local, state and government levels for over 40 years. He was inducted into the National Pupil Transportation Hall of Fame on October 31, 1999 and subsequently the Virginia Pupil Transportation Hall of Fame. Buster served as Treasurer of the Southeastern States Pupil Transportation Conference for 30 years where a scholarship named in his honor is awarded to deserving students in each of the 14 member states annually. He served in the U.S. Army 47th Infantry Division as a Sgt. First Class. Buster was a Past Commander of American Legion Post 43 and an active and long-time member of North Richmond Kiwanis Club, holding positions on most every level since 1965. He was an active member of Chamberlayne Baptist Church until the church closed in 2021. A memorial service was held 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 5, at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 215 Wilkinson Road, Richmond, Va. 23227. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions were made to the Wounded Warrior Project or a charity of your choice.8:50 AM 12/8/2023 |
Lonnie Chandell Reavis was born on
August 8, 1969 to Ellen Louise & James C. Reavis at the
Medical College of Virginia
in Richmond. He departed this life on November 4, 2023 at
his North Carolina home in Bertie County. Lonnie graduated a year early from Stuttgart International High School in 1986. He then matriculated to Norfolk State University in 1991, where he joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology while minoring in Criminal Justice. In 2001 Lonnie graduated from Longwood College with a Master’s in Educational Administration & Supervision. As a Kappa he was known to his brothers as “Serge”, but affectionately called “FACE” whose line number was twenty-one. Lonnie climbed the ranks within the organization by starting the Franklin/Southampton County, VA charter. Lonnie also honorably served in the Navy Reserves. In 1993 he began his educational career in Southampton County Public Schools as a middle school Drop-out Prevention Specialist and also taught 5th grade at Courtland Elementary School. He then quickly excelled through the ranks of various systems & supporting roles at the state department using his role in the Virginia Association of Pupil Transportation (VAPT) where he was Regional Director 2010-2013 and vice-president from 2013-2014. Lonnie was also active with the National Association of Pupil Transportation (NAPT) during this time. After Southampton he served the stakeholders of Suffolk Public Schools through the support of the Superintendent, Dr. Milton Liverman. Lonnie transitioned from a 6th grade math and science teacher at John F. Kennedy where he started a black male youth mentoring program called the GENTS to an Assistant Principal at John Yeates Middle to begin his current love, Transportation. In 2015, with the blessings of his spouse, Lonnie accepted an opportunity to run those yellow school buses that he is so fond of during a short stint in Northern Virginia at Loudoun County Public Schools prior to his final stop and home, Fairfax County Public Schools under the direction of Mrs. Furby. On the morning of his death, Lonnie excitedly shared with his NC neighbor that he was in the process of updating his resume to extend his retirement plans by five years because his beloved boss was retiring in December even though he already surpassed his 30th year. Mr. Powell stated that Lonnie’s goal was to finish what Mrs. Francine Furby started before he retired. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his parents James (Pop) and Louise Reavis of Prince George, VA; siblings Demetria (Julius) Freeman of Henrico, VA and Chad Reavis of Petersburg, VA. Three nieces Tiyanah Reavis of Petersburg, VA; Alexis Johnson of Warrenton, VA; Jailyn Jenkins of Hampton, VA. Three nephews JaQuael Reavis of Petersburg, VA; Julius Freeman of Norfolk, VA, TreVaughn Jenkins of Tempe, AZ. Mother and father-in-law Thomas and Caroline Jenkins of Virginia Beach, VA. Uncles Vernon Reavis (Jeanette) of Yorktown, VA; Alvin Reavis of Kenbridge, VA; Robert Stokes (Emma) Charlotte, VA; Roosevelt Capers Jr. (Joyce) of Victoria, VA; Leare Capers of Hyattsville, MD; Donnell Capers (Penny) of Manassas Park, VA; Aunts Beaulah Reavis of Victoria, VA and Melba Reavis of Brooklyn, NY. Two sisters-in-law Madelyn Jenkins of Norfolk, VA; Angelina (Torrick) Hayes of Hampton, VA and cousins Anthony (Elizabeth) Capers, Amory Capers, Cedric (Shalynda) Capers, Lashaunda K. Capers, Donnell Capers Jr., James Capers and a host of other relatives and friends. His maternal and paternal grandparents Roosevelt “Munchie” (Alice) Capers, and George (Florene) Reavis preceded him in death. Lonnie was united in marriage on March 28, 2005 to Suwana Suwan Reavis of Herndon, Virginia. Although no biological children were comprised through this union, he affectionately adored the daughters left behind by his best friend Eugene T. Alston. Quira Monique Alston (Millville, NJ), Alexis Evelyn Alston, and Arielle Elizabeth Alston (Suffolk, VA). He was an avid sports enthusiast—golf, billiards, fishing, horseshoes and life-long Dallas Cowboys fan with an infectious smile and personality to match who will definitely be missed. |
After graduating from Homer L. Ferguson High School Class of 1988, he studied at Tidewater Community College and Christopher Newport University, graduating with a degree in I/O Psychology. Over the years, Thomas held numerous jobs working at Christopher Newport University; Bus Driver for Newport News Public Schools (NNPS); Transportation Supervisor at Newport News Public Schools; Smokehouse-Grills/Kitchen at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg; and Assistant Director of Transportation at Hampton City Schools. In 1991 Thomas became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. On July 16, 2005, Thomas married his Best Friend, Soul Mate, and Wife, Tanya Renee Thorpe. Thomas was a Military brat and traveled the USA and overseas with his parents. He loved to travel and had a heart of Gold. He made time for everyone, and for those who Thomas came across, he left an everlasting footprint. Thomas has been a source of encouragement to all whose lives he touched. Thomas will be greatly missed because he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, nephew, uncle, brother-in-law, and most of all, a great friend. He leaves to cherish fond memories his loving and devoted wife, Tanya Renee Thorpe; two daughters, Courtney Thorpe and Chrystal Hamlett (Darryl); grandson, Da’Shaun Hamlett; two granddaughters, Mi’Yannah "Bubbles" Hamlett and Skyler Hamlett; brother, Shawn Nicholas Thorpe (Gwendolyn Denise); two nieces, Shanise Victoria-Lynn Thorpe and MyKhia Nicol Thorpe; sister, Brittney LaKeasha Thorpe; nephew, Ayden Lewis Thorpe, all of Newport News, VA; grandmother, Beatrice Green Thorpe of Butner, NC; four aunts, Muriel "Luci" McGhee, Delores Chambers-Dupuy (James) of Palm Coast, FL, Brenda Thorpe (Charles) and Beulah Thorpe of Butner, NC; five uncles, Alvin Tommie McGhee (Catherine) of Oxford, NC; Ernest Crowder of Laurel, MD; Donnie Thorpe, Ronnie Thorpe, and Lee Thorpe of Butner, NC; and a host of cousins and friends. Services were held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 12:30 at Colossian Baptist Church.
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Mr. Ricky Blunt, Sr.,
66, of Courtland, Virginia,
transitioned peacefully on Wednesday,
September 28, 2022. He was born in Franklin, Virginia, on
May 16, 1956, to the late Gurnie and Thelma Blunt. He
graduated from Virginia State University in 1979 with a
Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He
was initiated into the Alpha Phi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, Inc. in the fall of 1976. He was a lifetime
member of First Baptist Church, Franklin, Virginia where he
served as the Chair of the Board of Deacons until his health
failed. |
Fred Stanley Valentine, 80, of Henrico, entered eternal rest Sunday, June 12, 2022 at his residence. He was born in Chase City, Virginia on September 26, 1941 to the late John and Mary Lena Valentine. At an early age, Fred joined Concord Baptist Church where he maintained his membership. He attended Mt. Olive Baptist in Glen Allen. Fred received his early education in the Mecklenburg County schools and graduated from West End High School in 1960. Later, he furthered his education, receiving a B.S. degree from Knoxville College and a M.S. degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Fred started his career in education. He was a teacher, coach and administrator in Pittsylvania County Public Schools, Chatham, VA. He was a coach, teacher and administrator at King William County Public Schools in King William, Virginia. He worked as an Assistant Supervisor at the Virginia Department of Education, Pupil Transportation Service and as Director of Transportation for Hanover County Public Schools in Ashland until his retirement in 2002. Fred wore many hats. After retirement, Fred served as a Consultant of Transportation for the State of Virginia. He served as President of VAPT. He was a dedicated member of the West End High School Alumni Association, having served as the President of the WEHS National Alumni Association and most recently as President of the Richmond Chapter and Advisor of the National Association. Fred loved people and it was easy for people to love and admire him. No one was a stranger to Fred. He opened his heart to everyone he met. He loved watching sports particularly, football and basketball. Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of 55 years, Carolyn B. Valentine' devoted son, Fred Sterling Valentine; loving grandson, Fred Sterling Valentine, Jr.; devoted sister, Johnsie V. Davis (John); brother, Robert Valentine; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, two devoted, Ernest Timberlake (Ann) and Earl Timberlake; a daughter-in-love, Vicky Battle and her children, Nakyah Battle and Syniah Battle and numerous friends. Fred will truly be missed. |
Valerie
Hicks Seaborne |
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