Dillwyn's Long Time Mayor Dies

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Dillwyn's Samuel Ranson dies
He served as mayor for 24 years and ran a store with his brother

Sunday, Jun 29, 2008 - 12:08 AM

By ELLEN ROBERTSON
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Samuel Lee Ranson loved Dillwyn, the town he was born in and the place he had been serving as mayor for 24 years when he died at home on Friday.
"When he died, he was only about 300 to 400 yards from where he was born," said his son and only child, Radford Bennett "R.B." Ranson of Wingina, who came into the world when his father was 60.
The youngest of nine children of a town merchant and his wife, Mr. Ranson followed in the footsteps of his late father, who served as Dillwyn's mayor for 46 years. "Daddy got his passion for Dillwyn from his father," his son said.
In the past several elections, Mr. Ranson had run unopposed. Three months before election time, he'd go to every house in town and ask the town's 400-person-plus population to vote for him.
"It was a shock to hear about his death," said Dillwyn Vice Mayor J. Ervin Toney. "He was such a young 85-year-old gentleman -- so energetic. He worked diligently to get things upgraded here."
He was particularly proud of working to get a clock with chimes installed downtown, his son said. He was pleased when the Town Council purchased a town sweeper. He made sure American flags flew on holidays. "He always appreciated small things," his son said.
Mr. Ranson, a member of the first class of Central High School in Buckingham County, served in the Army in California during World War II and obtained his high school equivalency diploma during service.
"He informed families when soldiers had passed away," his son said.
After the war, he and his brother, R. Kenneth Ranson of Dillwyn, took over operation of their father's general store when their father retired in 1952. They had run it since as Ranson Brothers.
It was known for "furniture and good socializing -- anybody needs anything, that's where they go. It's kind of like home," his son said.
Mr. Ranson had served 35 years as chairman of the Buckingham Republican Party.
He was a charter member of the town's volunteer fire department.
He had just received his 60-year pin as a Mason. He was master of Dillwyn Lodge 315, AF & AM, when he died. In 2003, he served as district deputy grand master of the Blue Lodge's 17th Masonic District. He was preparing in November to serve as a district deputy for the Royal Arch masons.
In addition to his son and brother, survivors include his wife of 27 years, Kathy Walker Ranson, and a granddaughter.
A funeral will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Dillwyn, where he was the deacon known as "The Candy Man" for regularly distributing lollipops to young and old. Burial will be in the Dillwyn Cemetery.