Ralph Kenneth Ranson

RANSON, Ralph Kenneth, born November 8, 1920. He returned home unto the Lord, Friday, January 15, 2010 at 3 p.m. Kenneth Ranson was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Irene Jones Ranson; his father and mother, Radford Bennett Sr. and Estelle Fitzgerald; seven brothers and one sister, Bennett, Buford, Everett, William, Elizabeth Burroughs, Emmett, Howard and Samuel; and by two children, Patricia and Tommy. Kenneth was a charter member of the Buckingham Fire Department and Lions Club. He worked briefly on the Blue Ridge Park Way and during WWII he lived with his wife, Irene, in Blackstone and worked as a plumber's apprentice and bus driver at Camp Pickett. During the week he worked with the plumbers at the camp and on the weekends drove the troops to D.C. for some R and R. Kenneth returned to Dillwyn in the late 40's and went into business with his brother, Samuel, and opened Ranson Brothers, buying Ranson's General Store from their father. They were also partners in Ranson's Oil Company, Ranson Motors, Ranson's Mobile Homes, and for a short time owned their own restaurant at Sprouses Corner. Kenneth also served the Commonwealth's Department of Justice for 37 years. He served as Justice of the Peace and magistrate for 17 years and 20 as chief magistrate of the 10th district. Kenneth also served the church for many years as a deacon and 21 years as Sunday School Director. He was also a Free Mason for 63 years, serving in numerous capacities. He was a loving father and grandfather. Kenneth is survived by his daughter, Sue and husband, George Dowdy; son, Radford Ranson; and grandchildren, Samantha and husband, John Scialdo, Lee Dowdy and wife, the Rev. Elizabeth Rickert Dowdy, Joellen and husband, Timothy Franklin, and Zachariah and Elijah Ranson. He also has three great-granchildren, Logan Franklin, Piper Scialdo and Rozelia Dowdy; as well as many nieces and nephews. Family visitation will be at Puckett Funeral Home from 6 until 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 17, 2010 and the funeral will be held at Dillwyn First Baptist, in the heart of Dillwyn, on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 11 a.m. Donations can be made to the Dillwyn Fire Department, Buckingham Volunteer Rescue Squad and Dillwyn First Baptist Church.

Visitation:
Family will receive friends Sunday, January 17, 2010 6:00-8:00PM at the funeral home.

Service:
A funeral service will be held Monday, January 18, 2010 11:00AM at Dillwyn First Baptist Church with interment in Dillwyn Town Cemetery.