Roland was born March 7 th , 1931, in Farmville, Virginia, to the late Wesley and Margie
Thornton Ross. He attended the local and public schools in Prince Edward County, VA.
Roland accepted Jesus Christ at an early age, was baptized and joined Bethel Grove
Baptist Church in Rice, VA. He married Bettie Elizabeth Hicks, his beloved wife whom
he called “Bootsie”, on July 22 nd , 1951. From their union, they shared two lovely
daughters Linda P. Wardell of Rice, VA and Evelyn Carrington of Meherrin, VA. Roland
worked for Southside Electric Company several years, then later ventured to rhe
Virginia Department of Transportation, where he worked for 57 years.
Once retired, Roland loved to sit in his den watching Westerns and Walker Texas
Ranger. He enjoyed cutting his grass and sitting outside. Roland was a humble, kind,
and loving man of very few words. He lived a great life taking care of his children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by: his beloved wife, Mrs. Bettie Elizabeth Hicks Ross;
eleven siblings, Elsie, Ida, Corabell, Anna, Indie, Doris, Herman, Lawrence, John, El-
Marshall, and Bab; and two great-great-grandchildren, Davion and Darius King.
Cherishing his precious memories are: his daughters, Linda P. Wardell of Rice, VA, and
Evelyn Carrington (William) of Meherrin, VA; one brother, Arlis Ross of Burkeville, VA;
one brother-in-law, Frank Harrison of Green Bay, VA, eleven grandchildren, Keshan
Peaks Sr. of Wisconsin, LaMetra Peaks of Rice, VA, LaKetra Peaks of Rice, VA,
Marquis Peaks Sr. (Kissy) of Suffolk, VA, Brittney Elam (Michael Sr.) of Rice, VA,
Meshell Ross of Rice, VA, Bennie Ross (Heidi) of Buckingham, VA, John Crawley (Lisa)
of Petersburg, VA, James Crawley of Abilene, VA, and Katrina Carrington of Meherrin,
VA, Rosa Vaughan of Rice, VA; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; nine great great-
children; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.