James Woodrow Richardson died peacefully at Gibson House of Rockingham County Hospice, Sunday, October 30, 2022, at the age of 97. He was born June 6, 1925, and has united with his wife, Rachel Carter Richardson.
Woodrow grew up on a tobacco farm on land in Stokes and Rockingham County and at age 18, served in WWII in the Navy on 986 LST enduring several attacks and many close calls. He received medals for American Area, Victory WWII, Asiatic Pacific, 4 star Philippine Liberation and 2 stars. He returned home at the wars end, married Rachel and reared three children. Woodrow was a hard worker raising tobacco and working at the textile mills, several years at the same time. He was always interested in something new as he had a short stint raising baby broiler chicks, had rental houses, planted and harvested lumber, and built and managed a trailer park. He stopped farming when two of his three children were adults and retired from Burlington Mills when he was 63.
Woodrow loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and he took delight in his first great-great granddaughter. He was quiet but had a good sense of humor. Even in the two years when he was unable to walk around his farm, he never complained about anything. He was a faithful member of Mt. Hermon United Methodist Church, went to Sunday school and worship faithfully, sang in the choir, served as an usher and wherever he was needed.
Woodrow is survived by a son, Ricky (Debra) Richardson and a daughter Rev. Sybil R. Parks, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter.
He was predeceased by his wife Rachel, son and daughter-in-law Dexter and Donna Richardson, a granddaughter, Angela Richardson, and two sisters, Betty Richardson and Nannie Lou Martin.
Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at Mount Hermon United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, from 6 to 8 pm, at Colonial Funeral Home Stokes Chapel.
The family expresses their deep appreciation to Dr. Mark Perini, who has cared for Dad throughout the years, and to Authoracare Hospice of Greensboro and Gibson House of Rockingham County Hospice.
In lieu of flowers and to honor Woodrow’s and Rachel’s love for their church, please donate in their memory to Mt. Hermon United Methodist Church’s minister discretionary fund to help those in need.
Colonial Funeral Home in Sandy Ridge is serving the family.
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