Surry County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Richardson, J. Sherwin, 1996 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ JOHN SHERWIN RICHARDSON JOHN S. RICHARDSON ELBERON - John Sherwin Richardson, 74, died Jan. 7, 1996, at Obici Hospital in Suffolk. He was a son of the late Percy W. and Annie Edwards Richardson. Mr. Richardson was a member of the Rocky Hock United Methodist Church and a retired supervisor with Smithfield Packing. Mr. Richardson is survived by his wife, Frances Bailey Richardson of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, John S. Jr. and Charlene Byrum Richardson of New Holland, Pa.; a daughter and son-in-law, Ann Dale and William R. Sutherland of Surry; and five grandchildren, Stephen, Jason and David Richardson, and Amy and Reid Sutherland. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 10, 1996, at 11 a.m. at Rocky Hock United Methodist Church by the Rev. Randy Duncan. Interment following in Rocky Hock Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the Purviance Funeral Home, Wakefield Chapel. Donations may be made to the Rocky Hock United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, c/o J.C. Whitmore, Jr., 2847 White Marsh Road, Wakefield, Va. 23888. ****************************************************************************** REMEMBERING JOHN SHERWIN RICHARDSON 1921 - 1996 John Sherwin Richardson lived on his family farm, the Richardson Farm, all of his life and farmed the land until 1960. He then changed careers and became supervisor at Smithfield Packing Company until his retirement in 1985. Known as "Sherwin," he was a member of Rocky Hock Church his whole life. Music was his love, especially gospel music. Because he wanted to share with the shut-ins the Sunday sermons, and especially the music of the choir and the songs performed by the Rocky Hock Trio, he brought to church his own portable tape recorder and began to record the sermons and songs. These tapes were shared with the shut-ins, and this was the beginning of the recording program for the shut-ins that Rocky Hock Church has in place today. He married Frances Bailey, a daughter of Gurley Bailey, and Sherwin and Frances had two children. At Sherwin's death, the memorial contributions given in his name were used to help in the purchase of the choir robes that are being worn by choir members at Rocky Hock Church today. He is buried in Rocky Hock Cemetery. Thanks to Frances Richardson for the information and picture. John Sherwin RICHARDSON, retired meat-packer, former farmer, b. 23 Jan 1921, Surry Co., d. 7 Jan 1996, Suffolk, interred in Rocky Hock Methodist Church Cemetery (Plot 12*), Surry Co., 10 Jan 1996, "The Daily Press" (Newport News, VA), Jan. 9, 1996, p. 14; Rocky Hock Church bulletin *Rocky Hock list, an extension of the Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/cemeteries/rockyhk.txt His parents are buried in the same plot. His in-laws are buried in Plot 16. A photo of his gravestone is posted with Find a Grave Memorial #20602744. His mother's obit ("Daily Press," July 20, 1969, p. 10) is posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/obits/r263a5ob.txt His father's (donated, 1959) obit & a memorial to the couple are posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/obits/r263p1ob.txt Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Mrs. Bruce Saunders (bs4403@verizon.net), and re-formatted by File Manager. file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/obits/r263s4ob.txt