Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

COURTLAND – Ricky Blunt, Sr., 66, of Courtland, Virginia, transitioned peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. He was born in Franklin on May 16, 1956, to the late Gurnie and Thelma Blunt. He graduated from Virginia State University in 1979 with a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration. He was initiated into the Alpha Phi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. in the fall of 1976. He was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church, Franklin, Virginia where he served as the Chair of the Board of Deacons until his health failed.

Ricky purchased Franklin Bus Service from his father and became the owner in 1991. In 1996, he was recognized as the Franklin-Southampton Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year. Later in his career he served as the transportation supervisor for Hampton Roads Transit in Norfolk, transportation director for Franklin City Public Schools and retired as transportation director of Southampton County Public Schools in 2019.

He held various leadership roles in the community. He was a former member of the Franklin School Board and Franklin Kiwanis Club. He was also a Franklin United Way Board member, Franklin-Southampton Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. charter member, Franklin-Southampton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member; member of the Board of Directors of Franklin Salvation Army, founding member of the Buffalo Riders Equestrian Club and most recently founding member of Citizens Create Change who led the effort to change the name of Blackhead Signpost Road (now Signpost Road) in Southampton County.

He lived his best life. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandkids, on trail rides, jet skiing, in his backyard pool and his most recent endeavor, a koi pond.

Ricky leaves to cherish his memories: his wife of 40 years, Dorothy Key Blunt; children, Ricky Deon Blunt Jr. (Megan) of Henrico, Rickeita Blunt Jones (Chris) of Chesterfield; brothers, Claude Knight (Theresa), Gurnie Blunt Jr. (Cynthia), Roger Knight (Phyllis), Larry Blunt (Mechelle) and Jerry Blunt; sisters, Nora Dove, Thea Annette Lettley (Allen) and Claudette Mason; grandchildren, Ricky Blunt III, Mason Deon Blunt, Christen Jones and Christopher Blunt Jones (C.J.); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

A public viewing will be held on Thursday evening from 3 – 7 p.m. at Move of God Ministries, 221 South Main Street in Franklin, where reflections from family and friends are welcomed from 5 – 6 p.m. The Kappa public memorial ceremony honoring Ricky Blunt will be held from 6 – 7 p.m. The celebration of life will be held on Friday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. at Apostolic Faith Church of God, 608 Oak Street, Franklin, with Dr. D.S. Riddick II delivering the message of comfort; Overseer Ronnie Warren is pastor. Masks are required during all services and temperatures will be checked upon your arrival. Service provided by the professional and caring staff of Wm. M. Johnson & Sons Funeral Home Inc., 224 South Main Street in Franklin. Please share your condolences with the family at wmjohnsonandsons.com.