Larry A. Baytops

Larry Augusta Baytops was born on March 23, 1952 in Stevensville, Virginia. He was the first of five children born to Mary Elizabeth Candia Baytops and James Larry Baytops. A lifelong member of Wayland Baptist Church, Larry was an energetic, confident little boy who loved to play outside with his siblings Ernest, Wayne, Bobby, and Alicia. Larry and his brothers and sister spent much of their childhood jumping in the honeysuckles from the top of their father’s shed, sliding down the woodchip piles, and, of course, playing sports! After attending Edgehill School in Stevensville, Larry later graduated from King and Queen Central High School in 1970. He was well-known for his quick wit and social savvy; hence, we do not need to wonder where the nickname “Fox” came from! He loved to talk and share clever jokes, yet he possessed the rare gift of making everyone he encountered feel seen and heard. He played the trumpet in high school and was an All-District shortstop on the baseball team. The district championship-winning baseball team, coached by Mr. Leland Wyatt, featured such star players as Ernie, Rossie Burnett, Preston Green, Percy and Carter Banks. From his high school days into his early thirties, Larry kept his passion for baseball alive on the field. As a leftie who was a phenomenal right-handed player, he was an undeniable force—an incredible hitter, a constant threat to steal, and lightning-quick at scooping up grounders. He played left field and shortstop for the King & Queen All Stars at Davis Beach, at Pine Valley, and the Big “O” for the Essex Braves. Larry was especially close to his brothers Ernie, Wayne, and Bobby, and his sister Alicia. If you saw one, you saw them all! You could count on getting a warm hug, happy vibes, and a funny story from them. Larry’s sister Alicia honed her skillful softball talent with her brothers. The Baytops Boys were famous for their competitive fervor and incomparable talents in baseball. Larry’s skills were inimitable because he was so incredibly fast. He would dive after balls and was known for hitting with a 36-inch bat that was nearly as long as he was tall! Hitting home runs was a family affair, as three of the four Baytops Boys were known for hitting them at Jack’s Grill, smashing balls over a house located outside of the baseball diamond! Bobby’s formidable pitching put teams on notice far and wide. James Baytops was extremely proud of his sons and could be heard cheering them on over the entire baseball field! Larry worked for numerous companies over the years, including Richmond Engineering, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Hamilton Hybar, Fleet Transport, and Atlantic Bulk Carrier (ABC). He started out driving a dump truck, then developed a love for long-distance tank hauling. This led him to driving a tanker truck for Fleet for years, before ending his long-distance career with ABC. It was truly a marvel to watch Larry maneuver the truck with ease, especially as he backed the truck into the driveway across from his home with the precision of a surgeon. His children and nephews enjoyed riding in his tractor trailer when he’d take them on short trips or drop them off at school. Family members always called Larry when in need of directions, and just like a human GPS, he would pause, think, and explain exactly how to get from point A to point B with pinpoint accuracy! Larry’s last place of work was driving for Bay Transit, where his friendly, conscientious nature earned him a safety award and made him a favorite of the customers who utilized the service. In the early 90s, Larry bought an Appaloosa named Lady and she became part of the family. Larry taught himself how to take care of horses. He later joined the Black Gum Saddle Club in Charles City County and rode in local festivals and parades, sometimes earning accolades for performance. He later bought a second horse named Country Boy. Larry poured his knowledge of horses into the hearts of his kids, nieces, nephews, and children in the community, adding an extraordinary collection of memories to their upbringing. Larry was previously married to Joy Lawson (Davis), with whom he shares his greatest achievements, Alexis, Adrienne, and Brandon. He loved his children very much, took pride in their accomplishments, and had a unique relationship with each of them. The family often traveled together. They shared beach days at Westmoreland Park, museum and zoo visits, and trips to visit family out of state. Life lessons on safe driving, keeping the car clean, lawn care, family, and being a relentless competitor will forever stay with his children. Larry later found companionship and love again with his partner of almost twelve years, Margaret Jones. Margaret and Larry would often be seen out and about, enjoying good music and a good meal, attending church services, taking pictures, and spending time with their loved ones. He embraced Margaret’s daughters Tanya and Margo, her brother Clinton and grandson Micah like family and genuinely appreciated their support in his final days. Left to honor Larry’s memory are his children Alexis (Kevin), Adrienne (Vinesson), and Brandon; his brothers Ernie, Wayne, and Bobby, his sister Alicia; his fiancée Margaret Jones; his grandchildren Kamal Brown, Aniyah and Dylan Baytops, and Cateleya and Matthew Paul; his aunts Thelma Gardner and Reitha O’Neal, his uncle James Moore, and a host of loving cousins, nephews, nieces, and special friends, including Rossie Burnett and Alvin Walker, who will always cherish the memory of him with a laugh and a smile. ***Due to unforeseen circumstances, Larry's funeral service has been moved around the corner to ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 615 Zion Church Rd, Cumnor, VA 23085 A funeral service will be held 11AM Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Zion Baptist Church,615 Zion Church Rd, Cumnor, VA, 23085. A viewing will be held Friday, August 28, 2026, from 5PM - 8PM at Vincent Funeral Home, 417 11th St, West Point, VA 23181.

Larry A. Baytops

March 23, 1952 - August 16, 2026