Claudia Ryland

URBANNA---Claudia Payne Robins Ryland, 72, native of Hartfield, Middlesex County,

and 50-year resident of Williamsburg/James City County, died peacefully in her home

very early morning Monday, April 3, 2023. She was the daughter of the late Freddie

Badger Robins and Doris Payne Robins and the granddaughter of the late Charles

Howlett Payne and Edna Redd Payne, and the late Thomas Melvin Robins and Iva Jane Carneal Robins.

A woman of immense quiet strength, joy, and kindness, who faithfully worshiped our

Triune God, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, Claudia established a foundation of

love, from which her family could thrive. Devoid of prideful ambition but blessed with a

heart for service, she quietly served as President of the Virginia Society for Human Life;

served the Task Force for Battered Women (now Avalon); volunteered for overnight

shifts that provided warm winter rest for the homeless; volunteered at Eastern State

Hospital in the geriatric ward, offering love to patients often in pitiful condition; hosted

Vacation Bible School in her James River home in First Colony as part of Williamsburg

Community Chapel's neighborhood outreach program; served in the Williamsburg

Christian Women's Club; served as Chairman of the James City County Electoral Board

(this woman who had zero political ambition); created, owned and operated "I Must

Say---Antiques, Gifts, Cards, and Words" in Toano and later on Prince George Street in

Williamsburg; and never missed an accessible performance of her children and

grandchildren from elementary through college. For years she loved worshiping at

Williamsburg Community Chapel, and loved being further nurtured by Eastside

Church, its vibrant, now independent offspring. But Christ, and home, and family always

came first for Claudia. Her love for horses and her precious house pets was also

immeasurable. They were also a vital part of her spiritual journey that emanated from the heart of God.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, John William Ryland III ("Nugget" to

beloved grandchildren and childhood friends); two children, Elizabeth Ashley Ryland

Willis and her husband John Cleeland Willis of Williamsburg; and John Page Ryland of

Richmond; six grandchildren, Ryland Henry Willis and his wife Erin of Fredericksburg,

John Benjamin Willis and his wife Melissa of Roanoke, and Reed Robins Willis of

Williamsburg; Evelyn Page Ryland of Los Angeles; and William Cole Ryland and

Audrey Frances Ryland of Richmond. Claudia is also survived by her dear sister Doris

Lee Robins Dunham of Midlothian, and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 22 in Williamsburg's Eastside Church at 10:30

a.m. and in Lower United Methodist Church, Hartfield, in Middlesex County at 3:00

p.m., followed by graveside service and farewell in the church cemetery.