The Vestry

Raiford is a retired VCU scientist and now finds her time occupied with being a proud grandmother. She has been attending Westover Church since marrying Jon Black 34 years ago. She previously served on the vestry as senior warden during a time of transition for our church. Raiford loves her church family, and wants Westover to continue to be a welcoming presence in our community.

Kay was married to her husband, William, at Westover in 1993 and made Westover her church home soon after. They have split their time between Charles City and their home in Richmond while raising their three children, now young adults.

She served as a member of the Westover Vestry in the late 1990s and was a past chair of the Autumn Pilgrimage and long-time supporter of this important community event.

Early childhood education and her love of music merged in 2019 when she was trained to be a Music Together Specialist and taught preschoolers (virtually and in person) at The St. James’s Children’s Center and Richmond Public Schools from 2019-2022.

Kay has volunteered for several organizations including board seats on SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) for nine years and The Dogwood Preschool from 2019-2023, which she helped create during COVID.  She presently serves as president of The Boxwood Garden Club until 2025 and is a member (and past president) of Windsor Farms Garden Club.

Kay is honored to be considered to be a member of the vestry at Westover.

Jamie was baptized at Westover Episcopal Church in 1944. He grew up in Charles City with his parents at Berkeley Plantation and continues to care for the historic property. Jamie attended NC State as a horticulture major and operated a wholesale nursery for over 45 years. He served as president of the Virginia Nurseryman’s Association and served as both senior and junior warden at a time when the Westover parish house was renovated. Jamie lived in Richmond for 15 years when his children were in school at St. Catherine’s and St. Christopher’s.

Tyler was baptized and married at St. Stephen’s in Richmond, Virginia. There he was part of the prison ministry, active in the young adults group, and a Celtic Service homilist. After graduating from the University of Richmond School of Law, he took a job prosecuting in Pittsylvania County where he previously attended Hargrave Military Academy. In 2021, he was hired by former Vestry member and former Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler to work in the Charles City County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, where Tyler now serves as Commonwealth’s Attorney. Tyler and his family love Westover Church and the congregation and Tyler would be honored to help the church in any manner it sees fit.

I became a member of Westover Episcopal Church around 2014 when I was offered the opportunity to move into the Rectory. I am so thankful for that opportunity, as it allowed me to become acquainted with this beautiful church home and very loving and supportive church family. While I still consider myself a “relative newcomer” to Westover Episcopal Church (compared to many in the congregation who are generational members!), I am a lifelong Episcopalian growing up in Richmond and attending Saint Andrews Episcopal Church on Oregon Hill, along with my parents and grandparents.

My career has been spent in public service as an Environmental Health consultant and advocate with the Commonwealth of Virginia. I “retired” in 2020, leaving state service and went to work for a nationwide non-profit organization helping low-income homeowners and communities gain access to potable drinking water and environmentally safe waste disposal. I have also served on the Board of Directors for other nonprofit organizations dedicated to continuing education.

I spent time in 2017 learning more about Westover church when I served on the vestry as the scribe for approximately 5 years. I am thankful daily for the path that led me to Westover, and I look forward to helping this church, its members, its ministries, and the Charles City community.