Lonnie Darnell Garland

Lonnie Darnell Garland was born on September 18, 1951, to the late Johnny B. Garland Sr. and Thelma Garland. He was a native of Rockingham County, North Carolina, and spent his childhood years in Blue Creek where he attended elementary school and the former historically black high school, Douglass High School. Students from Douglass High School were later integrated into John M. Morehead High School where Lonnie graduated in 1970. 

In 1972, Lonnie met Rhonda Rogers and they later married on December 28, 1974.  To their union, three children were born: Rodney, Jermaine and Christopher.  Lonnie also joined the United States Army in 1974, where he served proudly for 12 years. During his military service, he was stationed at Fort Lee, and continued to reside in Virginia thereafter.   

Lonnie’s experience in the Army played a very important role in his life. He frequently pointed out that the Army taught him the value of hard work and discipline.

Lonnie was an avid cook and loved hosting Thanksgiving dinner at his home in Colonial Heights, VA.  He also had a passion for sports and enjoyed playing golf and watching his favorite basketball team, the UNC Tarheels.

In a later union, Lonnie had his youngest son, Ryan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny B. Garland Sr. and Thelma Garland, three sisters: Mae Frances Broadnax, Larnetta Wilson, and Annie Martin; one brother: Johnny Bell Garland Jr.; one sister-in-law: Clara Garland; and four brothers-in-law: William Martin Sr., David Lyons Sr., Frank Harris, and George Scales. He leaves to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy, his four loving sons: Rodney, Jermaine (Fatima), Christopher (Megan), and Ryan; five grandchildren: Tiara, Milan, Parker, Mila, and Linden; two sisters: Judy Harris and Vaughn Epperson; two brothers: David (Sheila) Hampton and Bobby (Lizzie) Garland; devoted friend and caregiver, Rebecca Williams, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

A Celebration of Life services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2023, from the Chapel of Johnson & Sons Funeral Home, 116 Holderby Street, Reidsville, NC. 

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