James Garfield Dillard

Dillard, James “Garfield” of Amelia departed this life on December 25, 2018.  Garfield was born on April 25th, 1931 to the late Ernest and Mary Jane Dilllard in Amelia County, Virginia.  He was preceded in death by two brothers, Danny and Ronald.  He leaves behind his cherished and loving wife of 68 years, Ruby Lee; three children, Gary (Colleen), Dale (Angela) and Sherri Ferrara (Jim), two brothers J.L (Kay), Larry(Jeanne), and a sister, Jessie Williams.  Grandchildren; Jessica Duffey, John Dillard, Michael Ferrara, Jeffrey Ferrara, Jason Ferrara, Ross Kelton, Shelby-Grace Wines, several great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews 
Garfield was a loving devoted husband, father and “Granddaddy”.  He was a good and faithful member of Mount Hope Baptist Church in Mannboro for most of his life.  He served in the Virginia National Guard. He founded and operated Dillard Construction Company successfully for more than fifty years.  Garfield served on the Amelia County Board of Supervisors for twenty years.  He was a champion of public education and supported integration at a time when it was not popular. We, the family do not mourn the end of a life but celebrate a life well lived for over 87 years.  Visitation will be held on Friday, January 11th from 6:00-8:00pm at Hillsman-Hix Funeral home in Amelia at 16409 Court St., Amelia, VA and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 12th at Mount Hope Baptist Church at 7831 Namozine Road in Amelia, VA at 11:00am. Please note there is limited seating at the church and friends are encouraged to visit on Friday evening at the funeral home.   In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Amelia County Christmas Mother program.    

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