The Reverend James Russell Traylor

The Reverend James Russell Traylor, 87, of Colonial Heights, VA, died on October 16, 2025. Born in Ettrick, VA, he was the son of the late Charles Churchill Traylor, Jr. and Lucille Wilson Cain Traylor. He was a 1957 graduate of Petersburg High school, a 1967 graduate of the College of William and Mary, and attended the Marshall Wythe School of Law there. He was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in September 1972 and was an active member until his passing. At age 75, he entered the Anglican Seminary of Virginia and was ordained in July 2017. The Reverend Traylor was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Churchill Traylor III. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sophia Zevgolis Traylor; a daughter, Ainsley Traylor Thompson (Joseph); a son, James Wicker Traylor; grandchildren, Taylor Lee Thompson (Brittany) and Sydney Thompson Cleary (Andrew); sister, Constance Traylor Ackerman; brother, Auren Charles Traylor (Linda); many nieces and nephews; faithful friend and colleague, Emily Anna Long; and devoted canine companion, Luke Skywalker Traylor. A visitation will be held at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m., on Monday, October 20, 2025. A funeral service will be conducted at St. John's Episcopal Church, 842 W. Washington St., Petersburg, at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Interment will follow at Appomattox Cemetery in Hopewell. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.