Richard L. Edens Sr.

Richard Lewis "Buddy" Edens Sr., 80, crossed to the Heavenly side, on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at his home after a well-fought battle with lung cancer. He was the son of the late Richard A. and Louise Upchurch Edens and was preceded in death by his sister, June Edens Purdy, and first wife, Barbara Drake Edens.

After graduating from Hopewell High School, Buddy trained as a machinist at Newport News Shipyard. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany, sold insurance for People's Life Insurance Company, worked for Allied Signal in Hopewell and Nebraska before retiring from Honeywell as end products supervisor in 1990.

Buddy loved life and never met a stranger. Among his many loves was Jesus, his family, many life-long friends that also included newer friends, his church family. His jolly personality served him well as he played Santa Claus for many years. He was a long-time member of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, serving as trustee, ruling elder, deacon and Sunday school superintendent. He taught Sunday school, helped in Bible school, and led the youth group for many years with his wife, Barbara.

He sang in the choir, cooked, and served in many other ways. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for several years, and volunteered to transport nurses in snowy weather to John Randolph Hospital. Buddy spent many happy hours playing golf with the Colonial Heights Senior Golf Association, earning a hole-in-one in 2010. He loved Elvis, the Redskins, being at the ocean, and was a proud member of American Legion Post 284, in Colonial Heights.

Mr. Edens is survived by his loving wife, Joy; son, Rich and his wife, Ida, of Enon; daughter, Dawn Hurt and her husband, Lee, of Enon; son, Chad and his wife, Beth, of Prince George; daughter, Holly, of Richmond; grandchildren, Shawnie Edens, Barbara Edens, Jordan Hurt, Joanna Hurt, Joshua Hurt, Dustin Franchok, Brandon Franchok; great-grandchildren, Bryanna, Sarah, Jesus; nieces, Jill Perlstein and her husband, Mark, Janet Purdy; nephew, Randall Purdy; numerous cousins; and many close friends. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2014, at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Service. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2014, at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, 1201 Blackstone Ave., Hopewell, with the Rev. Jeff Butler, officiating. Interment will follow in Appomattox Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Woodlawn Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.