James Alfred Osborne
   Chatham, Pittsylvania County, Virginia James Alfred "Pops" Osborne, age 93, 
of 21700 US Highway 29, Chatham, died Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008 at Danville 
Regional Medical Center.  Born Oct. 18, 1914, in Pittsylvania County, he was 
the son of the late Alfred Gilmer Osborne and Molly Kate DALTON Osborne. He 
was married to the late Beulah Yeatts Osborne for more than 58 years. Mr. 
Osborne was predeceased by a sister, Mary Paschal; and five brothers, Charlie 
Osborne, Joel Osborne, Haywood Osborne, Bobby Osborne, and Bernard Osborne.

Mr. Osborne was a member of Payneton United Methodist Church and served on 
most boards and committees of the church. He was past president and a member 
of the United Methodist Men's Club, and a past member of the Danville-
Pittsylvania Mental Health. Mr. Osborne retired in 1978 as chief magistrate 
for the 22nd judicial district of Virginia. He was a farmer, served as a 
Pittsylvania County deputy sheriff, worked at Hargrave Military Academy for 
more than 20 years, and was a member of the Virginia Forest Service. "Pops," 
as he was affectionately known, was the author of six books on the history of 
Pittsylvania County, entitled, "Remembrances of Times, Places and People," 
volumes one through five, and "Cascade Village."

He is survived by one daughter, Nancy O. Pickral and her husband, Gerald, of 
Chatham; three brothers, David Osborne, of Gretna, Roncie Osborne, of 
Danville, and Curtis Osborne of Chatham; two sisters, Clair Crider of Richmond 
and Isabelle Tuck of Pittsville; four grandchildren, Tammy P. Redd and 
husband, Mark, Janet P. Brooks and husband, Ricky, Patricia P. Byrd and 
husband, Ken and Sherry P. Crews; and 10 great-grandchildren, Megan Redd, 
Matthew Redd, Andrew Redd, James Brooks, Adam Brooks, Joshua Brooks, Hannah 
Brooks, Kevin Byrd, Amber Crews, and Lydia Crews.   Funeral services were held 
at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6 at Payneton United Methodist Church by Pastor 
George Schaefer, the Rev. Mark Redd and the Rev. Dr. James Siddons. Burial 
followed in the church cemetery.  (Danville Register & Bee  1/4/2008)