Raymond Tudor

Raymond Rennie Tudor, 96, passed away on May 6, 2009. He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Pauline Poarch Tudor. He is survived by two daughters, Mary Jo Ozment of Mechanicsville, VA and Paula T. Gilbert of Lincolnton, NC. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Jennifer M. Gilbert of Lincolnton, NC, Patricia G. Brown of Surry County, NC, Daniel W. Ozment of Springfield, VA and Michael T. Ozment of Athens, GA.; three great grandchildren, Emma and Luke Brown and Elena Beth Ozment and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Tudor was born in Petersburg, VA on May 9, 1912. He was the youngest of six children born to James W. and Blanche Colgin Tudor. His family moved to Richmond for a time and then to Chester. He graduated from Chester High School in 1932. After a variety of jobs during the worst years of the Great Depression, Mr. Tudor went to work for Standard Drug Company in Richmond. He worked his way up to manage several drug stores including one in Richmond and Washington, DC and finally opened a store in Petersburg. With the support of the owners of Standard Drug, he opened his own store. Mr. Tudor served in the US Navy during World War II. From the late 1930â??s to 1970 he was the proprietor of Tudorâ??s Drug Store in two locations on Sycamore Street and two fast food restaurants, one named Dairy King. After a brief retirement he obtained a real estate license and a mortgage brokerâ??s license. He opened offices in Petersburg for two mortgage companies and served as a vice-president for Lomas & Nettleton, a national mortgage company. After a second retirement in 1987 at the age of 75, he began to volunteer at Southside Regional Medical Center. In the early 1990â??s, Mr. Tudor and his wife suffered with major health problems. They were forced to move to a retirement community in Richmond. As Mr. Tudor recovered he went to work for Kirkpatrickâ??s Pharmacy and Clay Home Medical in Petersburg. He was very happy to be among business colleagues of many years and he enjoyed the friendships and support of all of the staff. He lived in Mechanicsville for 7 years. His last retirement was in February 2008 at the age of 95 when his health began to decline. He passed away at Carillon Assisted Living in Lincolnton, NC. The family will receive friends at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home from 6pm to 8 pm, Sunday, May 10. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 11 at 11 am in the funeral home chapel. Internment will follow at Blandford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care - Lincoln County, 107 N. Cedar St., Lincolnton, NC 28092 or First Baptist Church, 235 W. Washington St., Petersburg, VA 23803.