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BOYKINS – Catherine “Kitty”

Bland Lassiter, 99, died peacefully on July 4, 2023, at East Pavilion Senior Living in Franklin. She was predeceased by her parents, Dr. James M. and Mrs. Grace Knight Bland and infant sister, Anna Irby Bland. Kitty graduated from Randolph-Macon Women’s College and married her childhood sweetheart Roy Lassiter. Prior to his death in 2016, they celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary.

Kitty was a lifelong, devoted member of Boykins United Methodist Church, where she was active with children’s choir, adult choir, United Methodist Women, Board of Stewards and Church Council. She was Boykins historian and held memberships in the King & Queen Historical Society, Virginia Historical Society, Southampton Historical Society, UDC and DAR. She belonged to the Tarrara Women’s Club for over 50 years and twice served as its president.

While dedicated to her church, friends and community, nothing meant more to Kitty than her family. She is survived by three children, Jim Lassiter (Brenda), Allan Lassiter (Joan Claire) and Kitty Lou Pope (Greg); five grandchildren who adored their “Granny”, Jennifer Pope Osborne (Dennis Friese), Jessica Pope Henderson (Dave), Bland Pope, Andy Lassiter (AshleyAnne), Jessica Blitz (Sam); and nine great-grandchildren: Grayson, Avery, Tristan, Hannah, Sophia, Sage, Kya, Brooks and Barnes.

As long as she could, Kitty celebrated her time on earth and professed: “I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. He gave me life that I might enjoy all things.” She lived fully – traveling extensively, winning awards for her poetry, artwork and photography, graciously entertaining friends at their Boykins home and Bal-Gra cottage and writing / publishing histories of Boykins UMC and Beechwood Cemetery. She introduced her church to Chrismon trees and traveled to many other churches to lead workshops on the art of making Chrismon ornaments. No one “kept Christmas” better than Kitty.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 15, at 2 p.m. at Boykins United Methodist Church with Pastor Keith Jordan officiating. A reception will follow. Contributions may be sent to Boykins UMC, P.O. Box 246, Boykins, VA 23827-0246; or to Dr. J.M. Bland Scholarship, Ruritan National Foundation, P.O. Box 487, Dublin, VA 24084-0487.

Kitty’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude for the care and kindness she received from the staff of East Pavilion and from Laura Fernandez of Hospice of Virginia.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org