COURTLAND—Ryland Hewlett Brooks, 94, passed away January 26, 2011, at Southampton Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Bowling Green, a son of the late Joseph Edward Brooks and Annie Jane Pavey Brooks and was predeceased by 10 brothers and five sisters.

Mr. Brooks joined the Virginia State Police in July 1941.

In December1942, he joined the U. S. Army, serving with the 94th Infantry Division as a sergeant in the military police.

After the war, he returned to the Virginia State Police and moved to Courtland in July 1946. He became a Southampton County deputy sheriff in November, 1954 and took over as sheriff in 1960, serving for 24 years.

He was a member of Courtland United Methodist Church, Courtland Ruritan Club, Masonic Lodge No. 85, Woodman of the World and the Virginia Sheriff’s Association.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 60 years, Christine Gillette Brooks; daughter, Beverly Brooks ( John Kissinger), two sons, Ryland H. “Ry” Brooks Jr. (Sherry) of Summerfield, N.C., and Michael Brooks of Courtland; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth Tomichek of Bradenton, Fla.; and a brother, Garnett Brooks of Bowling Green.

A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011, at Riverside Cemetery with the Rev. Richard Gordon and the Rev. James W. Browder III officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Courtland United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be made to Christopher D. Ray Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o the Franklin-Southampton Chamber Foundation, 108 West Third Ave, Franklin, Va., 23851.

Wright Funeral Home is assisting the family. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.