John Frank Whiteside Jr. died May8

John Frank Whiteside Jr. passed away May 8, 2022, at Dunlop House Assisted Living Facility in Colonial Heights.

Born Sept. 4, 1931, in NaturalBridge, he was the son of the late John Frank Whiteside Sr. and Nannie Mae Whiteside.

He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Ruth W. Kyser, Rachel W. Campbell and husband Stanley, and Irene W. Lynn.

John is survived by his brother-in-law, Claude H. Lynn Jr.; nieces, Rebecca K. Transou (Tracy), Rachel C. Hudson (Preston), Janet C. Powell (Brian), Sondra L. Johnson; and nephew David C. Lynn (Faith). He is also survived by great-nephews Travis Transou, Dylan Hudson, Tyler Lynn; and great-niece, Natalie Hudson; devoted friends and caregivers, Betty J. Allgood, Catherine R. Pruett, Kathie L. Chionski, and Melodie S. Dittman.

John graduated from NaturalBridgeHigh School. He worked various jobs, including clerk typist for the Department of Agriculture-Forest Service in JeffersonNaturalForest from 1956 until 1958. After losing his vision, John went to school in Arkansas to learn Braille. He was also trained as a Randolph-Sheppard convenience vendor.

In 1967, John began working at Fort Lee for the VirginiaDepartment for the Visually Handicapped Program. Fondly known as "Blind John," he operated John's Snack Bar for 50 years serving soldiers and civilians alike. In recognition of his 81st birthday, he was awarded the Lifetime Honorary Staff & Faculty Membership by the United StatesLogisticsUniversity. John regularly attended worship services at Tabb Street Presbyterian Church in Petersburg, until his health declined.

A funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home.

Interment will be at 2 p.m. Friday, May 20, at RockbridgeMemorialGardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tabb Street Presbyterian Church,