Obituary for Cleatis Reginal Sisson, Jr.

Command Sgt Major VADF Retired, Cleatis Reginal Sisson, Jr. passed peacefully at his home in Floyd County, Virginia under the watchful eyes of his wife, Sally and his Savior, Jesus. He is the son of the late Cleatis R. Sisson, Sr. and Eugenia Hale Sisson, and predeceased by his first wife Mary Ann Douthat Sisson, his son, Lucien Ray Sisson and great granddaughter, Miryam Rose Guzman. Reggie leaves behind to cherish his memory a devoted wife, Sally Marie Akers Sisson of Floyd, son, Cleatis Reginal Sisson, III (Diana) of Salem, daughter, Sonya Sisson St. Jacques, (Lenard Tuck, Jr.)of Bon Air, step daughter Patricia Bugg (Gary) of Pulaski, granddaughter, Rosemary Ann St. Jacques-Guzman (Daniel) of Roanoke, Rosemary’s Father, Steven St. Jacques, step grandchildren, Jamie Finley (Josh) of Monck’s Corner, South Carolina, Adam Bugg (Katie) and Chance Bugg (Summer) of Pulaski, sisters Wanda Lou Henry (Ira Steven) of Roanoke and Janie Lynn Feury (Ronnie) of Salem. Reggie was a graduate of Andrew Lewis High School in Salem and a Sergeant in the 80th Division of the United States Army Reserve until the mid 1970’s. He had a brief career in retail but his second love after the military was farming. Reggie would joke that, if he won a million dollars he would pay some bills and see if he could hang on for another year. He spent some time as an extension agent for Virginia Tech and loved nothing more than learning from the farmers that he was meant to instruct. He was the owner of Liberty Cab in Roanoke, Virginia between 1995 and 2004 and was known about town by his call sign “Papa 7.” He had a gift for public speaking and was a talented Auctioneer. He was an avid student of the history of the United States with particular devotion to the Old Dominion, Virginia. Reggie wore many hats in his lifetime both literally and figuratively. There was a perpetual stack of varied headgear at the ready and woe betide the child that played with his hats. Of all the facets of Reggie’s career life, his passion was the Virginia Defense Force. In 1985 Sgt. Sisson was a member of the small band of soldiers that reinvented the Virginia Militia and formed it into the organization that it is today. “VIrginians serving Virginia.” He retired in 2016 as Command Sergeant Major. In his retirement speech he stated that, until he enlisted in the military he was referred to as a boy. Once in uniform, his drill sergeant called him “Young Man.” He made every effort as a volunteer to this great Commonwealth to assist in the development of its young men and young women as citizen soldiers. Reggie was a big believer in second chances. He gave them frequently and took advantage fully of the ones given him. His retirement with Sally was joyful. From their wedding at Dillon Chapel where they enjoy membership, to the family dinners ending in impromptu gospel singing by Patricia and Gary, to picnics at Smartview Park where he got the chance to make coffee on the camp stove. Every day a gift. Every grin a laugh. Every one family. The family will receive guests between 6 and 8 PM on Friday, May 12th at Gardner’s Funeral Home in Floyd, Virginia. Funeral Services will be held at Gardner’s Saturday, May 13th at 11AM with interment to follow at Red Oak Grove Cemetery.