Richardson, Donald Edward

Donald Edward Richardson, 75, of Narrows, Va., passed away Thursday, January 28, 2010, at Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg. A lifelong resident of Giles County, he was born on January 7, 1935, and was the son of the late Ira John Richardson and Leoma Frances Tolbert Richardson. In addition to his mother and father, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Mary Alice Rumburg, Clarice Brooks, Lucille Dennis and Willie Reinhart; four brothers, Richard Lee Richardson, Emmett H. Richardson, Bernard Richardson, and the Rev. Powell Richardson. Throughout his life, Don worked hard to make his community a better place to live. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, in Narrows, serving as a lay speaker. Don served his country as a United States Marine from 1954 until 1956. He served as Mayor of Narrows from 1980 to 1982 and again from 1998 to 2002, and was named Giles County Citizen of the Year in 1992. Don served on several area committees, as well as Narrows Town Council for four years. He was also a New River Valley high school football official for 20 years, a member of the Narrows Kiwanis Club for 20 years and served as its president eight times. He retired from Reed Lumber Company in Christiansburg in 1996 and worked for the Town of Narrows until he retired again in 2004. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 31 years, Jay Richardson; three stepdaughters, Judy Thomas and husband, John, Jan Bailey and husband, Jimmie, and Gigi Honaker, all of Narrows; six grandchildren, David Hahn, Josh Caldwell, Stephen Wood, Skeeter Caldwell, Megan Justus, and Camden Honaker; eight great-grandchildren; five brothers, Harold Richardson and wife, Joann, Douglas Richardson and wife, Melissa, all of Narrows, Guy Richardson and wife, Sarah, of Richmond, Charles David Richardson and wife, Audrey, of Wyoming, Mich., and Paul Richardson, of Springfield; two sisters, Nina Derby and husband, Bill, of Hampton, and Linda Smith and husband, Bud, of Carollton, Va.; many nieces, nephews and cousins, and thousands of special friends, including a special friend and caregiver, Anna Sue Martin. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 1, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Narrows with the Rev. Christopher Brown and Pastor Dan Kelly officiating. Pallbearers will consist of classmates from the Narrows High School Class of 1954. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Narrows with Graveside Rites conducted by VFW Post #6000 of Narrows and American Legion Posts #68 of Narrows, #311 of Pembroke, and #145 of Peterstown. The family will receive friends at First United Methodist Church Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider either First United Methodist Church of Narrows or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows is serving the Richardson family. Online condolence messages can be sent to the family at www.riffes.com