John Wesley Richmond, Jr.

Mr. John Wesley Richmond, Jr., age 82, of Sanford, NC transitioned to eternal rest on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford, NC.

Obituary

John Wesley Richmond Jr. - To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord

John Wesley Richmond, Jr., was born February 15, 1943, to the late John Wesley Richmond Sr., and Pearlee Hilton Richmond of Sanford NC.  Thursday, March 27, 2025, he answered the Master’s call and gave up the gift of his earthly life, to receive the gift of eternal life with the Lord.

Jr. was preceded in death by four children, TruDonna, Regina, Antonio, and Edmund, siblings, Rebecca and Robert Earl.

 Jr. was a people person and was well known and loved by many. He loved to hunt, and hanging out with the hunting club after a good Saturday hunt. He was an avid baseball fan; his favorite team was the Atlanta Braves. Jr. loved to listen to music, the oldies but goodies there was never a time on the weekends you would not hear him playing his favorite tunes in the home. In 1968 Jr started working as a Dry wall finisher and he was known as one of the best in the surrounding areas. Years later he started working for Kelm Cooperation as a carpenter. After many years Jr. retired from Kelm Cooperation, but not from Kelm’s Cooperation family. He kept a lifelong brotherhood relationship with the late Mr. Paul Kelly and family.  Shortly after retiring Jr. decided, he wanted to stay active, so he accepted a job at Watsons Mortuary. Later he accepted a job with Knotts Funeral Home where a new family of friends was created.

Jr. was an active and faithful member of Tempting Congregational Church until his health failed.  Jr. truly loved his church family and especially his brotherly relationship with Rev. Palmer and his family as they always referred to each other as brothers. He often invited Rev. Palmer to Sunday dinner where much conversation, learning and laughter took place. Jr served as superintendent of Sunday School, manager of the Tempting Male Chorus, Vice Chairman of the Program Committee, Vice president of the Trustee board, member of the Senior Usher board, and a member of the Graveyard Committee.

He leaves to cherish his memories wife of 42 years, Lessie Richmond, five sons, Robert Richmond (Anna), Michael Richmond, Timothy Richmond (Titania), Adam James and Christopher Dorsett (Shelia) all of Sanford N.C.; three daughters, Sharlene Gilliard (Kenneth), and Angela Richmond both of Sanford, and LaShonda Williams (Rodney) Greensboro, N.C.; two sisters, Vergie Hooker- Huntersville N.C., Mary Hooker (Louis), Sanford N.C. and family adopted sister Pastor Norma Bryant of Sanford N.C.; two sisters -in- law, Phyllis Wilson (George) of Carthage N.C., and Teresa Lucas of Atlanta Ga. And a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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