OBITUARY: Donald Avery Richardson – The Richmond Observer

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ELLERBE Donald Avery Richardson, known as Donnie, of Ellerbe, left this world Thursday, June 22 and joins his heavenly father and many others who preceded him and is now having a long awaited reunion that he did not attend.

Donnie was born on May 18, 1947, the second son of the late Arthur G. and Gladys Priddy Richardson and spent most of his life helping his family farm their land in Ellerbe. There he learned the value of hard work, but most of all how important family is. It was also there that his penchant for burning the streets began, as he left the house more than he would admit.

Donnie graduated from Ellerbe High School in 1966 and began his career at Southern Bell in 1968. He married his sweetie Sandra Spivey, whom he met at school, a year later in 1969.

After 30 years at Southern Bell, a job he remembers as the best job I could have had, I loved what I did, he retired, and went right back to work in the same capacity as an independent contractor. In 2011, he found himself ready to hang up the phone for good. He worked throughout the Southeast for many contractors but felt it was time to return to his roots, farming. He began working with his brother Edwin, which gave him time to venture into some of his favorite pastimes.

Donnie loved people, he never met a stranger, or they didn’t last long, and even up until his last visit to the hospital, he was sharing stories with the staff from when he was a member of the Ellerbe Rescue Squad. But he was more than just a member, he was one of the founding members of that squad and helped build it into what it is today. He enjoys being a part of things and making them grow, making them beautiful, traits he picked up as a child on the farm. He is a board member of Richmond County Farm Bureau, Richmond County Hospice, Soil & Water Conservation and Mount Pleasant Community Club. He is also a member of the Price Richardson Hunting Club, Lions Club and Sandhills Rod & Gun Club.

He enjoyed being part of the community and always tried to give back. For many years, he helped with the Fourth of July Fireworks in Ellerbe and often lent his hay trailer for rides to events within the county or drove himself.

Donnie was a man who loved and loved very much he loved his family (especially his girls and all the reunions in Mayodan, Willis, Virginia, or wherever his family took him), he loved his friend, he loves Bluegrass music, he loves his Dodge truck (you always see him running down the road), he loves Tilley hats (you never see him without one), he loves hunting pigs, he loves his Monday night card games, he loves Ellerbe and he loves phones (who else had kids. phone in the early ’80s).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur G. and Gladys Priddy Richardson; brother and sister-in-law, Edwin and Margaret Richardson; and daughter, Anita Richardson Shepard.

He is survived by his girlfriend of 54 years, Sandra Richardson; daughters, Karen Wilson of Ellerbe and Erin Richardson of Greensboro; grandchildren, McKenzie Knight of Ellerbe and Jordan Griffith (Josh) of Hamlet; grandson, Chase Wilson of Ellerbe; and her precious great-grandson, Owen Avery Knight of Ellerbe.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Carter Funeral Home in Ellerbe with Kevin Thompson officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Saturday at Carter Funeral Home in Ellerbe and other times at the home, 864 Grassy Island Road, Ellerbe.

The family would like to offer their sincere thanks to Dr. Bo Kopynec of FirstHealth Family Care Center in Ellerbe and the staff at Richmond County Hospice for their love and support these past few months.

In lieu of flowers, it is their request that donations be made in Donnies memory to Richmond County Hospice, 1119 US Hwy 1 North, Rockingham, NC 28379.

Carter Funeral Home is assisting the Richardson family.

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