September 5, 1938 – April 26, 2022
Nathaniel Dance was the first-born son to Nathaniel and Jeannette (Holmes) Dance, Sr. Known to most as “Nat”, he was baptized at an early age. He was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church as a youth and was also a member of Gillfield Baptist Church. As a youth, he played baseball in leagues for both churches. As an adult he served as a dedicated Trustee for Gillfield.
A lifelong native of Petersburg Virginia, he was educated in the Petersburg Public School Systems, graduating from Peabody High School with the class of 1955. After graduation Nat joined the Infantry division of the United States Army as a Field Artillery Crewman. He earned his Parachutist Badge with the 82nd Airborne Command at Fort Bragg North Carolina and was honorably discharged.
Nat wed the love of his life, Rosalyn Randolph, in 1965. The two enjoyed almost 57 years of marriage and were blessed with two children: Nathaniel III and Tanya Dyan.
Nat found employment with Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company as a machine repairman (fixer). He worked there until the factory relocated to Macon Georgia. He completed a four-year apprenticeship to become a certified Maintenance Machinist, graduating Magna Cum Laude from John Tyler Community College certified in air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating. As a master electrician, he launched Dance Electric Heating and Air-conditioning Repair Services and had grown his fleet to three repair vans when he retired.
Nathaniel A. Dance Jr. lived well and touched many lives during the time he spent with us. People may remember him as a quite soft-spoken gentleman, however those who knew him best remember he had quite a few words of wisdom to share. He loved cars, especially his 1938 Packard, and he loved being a member of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, known worldwide as the “Triple Nickels”. He was a dedicated member of the Jesse J. Mayes Tri-City Chapter of the Parachute Infantry Association (PIA), Inc., contributing regularly to their scholarship efforts. He enjoyed participating as a Connecting Link of the Petersburg Links Incorporated. But, most of all, he loved and enjoyed his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and leaves behind a large family to cherish the memories made with him, beginning with his devoted wife, Rosalyn Dance; children, Nathaniel Dance III of Richmond, VA, and Tanya DanceKelly (Raphael) of Las Vegas, NV; three brothers, Kermit Dance (Blanche) of Manassas, VA, Adrian Dance, Sr. (Angela) of Petersburg, andWarren Dance, Sr. (Mary) of Tampa, FL; cousins, David Dance of Dorchester, MA, Ariel Greenidge of Westborough, MA. and Suzanne Dance of Warwick, MA; one brother-in-law, Samuel Randolph of Petersburg, VA; five sisters-in-law, Mrs. Bessie Flowers, Mrs. Winnie Foreman and Mrs. Karen Hill (Earnest) all of Petersburg, VA, Mrs. Carolyn Adams (Harold) of Rock Island, IL, and Mrs. Susan Gordon of Milford, OH; his beloved grandchildren, DeVon Dance (Tyneisha) of Prince George, VA, Rico Robinson (Charity) of Newport News, VA, Jarratt, Liam and Jaden DanceKelly all of Las Vegas, NV; great grandchildren, Brianna Johnson, Denajha Embry, Dasani Dance, Cruz and Corbin Robinson; devoted caregivers, David Jackson, Janice Wingfield and Stanley Booker, devoted nieces, Beverly Randolph and Audrey Berry (Jonathan); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Public memorial service and livestream will be held 5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M., Friday, May 6, 2022 at Gillfield Baptist Church, 209 Perry Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. George W. C. Lyons, Jr., Pastor.
The service and interment for Mr. Dance will be private.