Obituary of John Reid Valentine, Sr.

John Reid Valentine, Sr. was born on January 8, 1931, in Mecklenburg County, Virginia to Irvin and Clara Diggs Valentine. He was a Korean War Veteran (1948-1952). He worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years (1956-1986). He was a member of Pilgrim Journey Baptist Church where he served faithfully as the church's treasurer, trustee, and sang in the Men's Choir. John was also a Master Upholsterer and was the owner of Valentine Upholstery Shop. He was a long-time member of Branch 496 The Old Timers Social Club. His favorite pastimes were traveling, golfing, and playing Bid Whist. John married Hazel Juanita Hinton Valentine and from this union four children were born: John (Reid) Jr., Hazel V. Thomas (Robert Wendell), Kurt Alonzo Valentine, Sr., (deceased), (Jagee') and Zoe V. Best (William). Later, he married Marie Johnson Patterson and became the loving father of six bonus children: Alvin Patterson Jr. (Patricia), Ritchie Patterson, June Lewis, Nancy Callaway (Clive), Gina Wyatt, and Dolly Neal (Kenneth). Our father was called home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 26, 2023, surrounded by four of his daughters, Hazel, Gina, Zoe, and June. John was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; Hazel Juanita Hinton Valentine, and Marie Louise Johnson Valentine, son; Kurt Alonzo Valentine Sr.; two sisters; Annie V. White (John), and Audrey Bowman Jones; brothers; Thomas and Royal Valentine; three aunts, Blanche Pretlow (Robert), Mary D. Bell (Johnny), and Cora D. Willis (Charlie). John leaves to cherish loving memories: his children; John Reid Jr., Hazel V. Thomas (Robert Wendell), and Zoe V. Best (William); six bonus children; one daughter-in-law, Jagee' Valentine; nine grandchildren: Jamie Hicks, James Hicks III, Evan Heacock (Jeremy), Sierra Thomas, Robert Thomas Jr., Sharmaine Zamora (Ricky), Natalie Rogers (Matt), Kesha Valentine, Kurt Alonzo Valentine II, great-grands, one sister-in-law, Nancy Thomas, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends; Thomas; two devoted friends Herman Graham, and Mamie Johnson. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Ecclesiastes 12:7 "And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." (Do not delete this line. It does not print. Text that is to appear on web must be entered after this line)« Acknowledgements We wish to express our sincere appreciation to our church family, relatives, friends, and neighbors for all your acts of kindness, condolences, words of comfort, and especially your prayers during our difficult time of bereavement. May God bless each of you as you have been a blessing to us.