Clyde Weldon Richardson

JONESVILLE - Clyde Weldon "Catfish" "Sawmill" Richardson, 70, of 214 N. Main St., Jonesville, our family's hero, died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005. He was a man like no other you would ever meet and one whom you would never forget if you did. He dearly loved his wife, Lucille, and was always by her side. He was a dad like no other. He never met a stranger, and nothing pleased him more than to tell you his fishing stories or his gardening successes. One of his greatest thrills was to bag you up some of his garden produce, never ever wanting anything in return. He worked so very hard from an early age setting pins at the Elkin YMCA, proudly telling the story of saving his nickels to buy his mom a special watch for Christmas that year. He loved to tell you stories of "hopping at the Night Spot" and how many milkshakes he made in one night. He attended Elkin High until around 1954, when he quit school to join the U.S. Marine Corps. He proudly served his country and would tell you quickly, "once a Marine, always a Marine." Soon after being discharged from the Marines in 1957, he met his best friend and lifelong love, Lucille. They were married for 47 years, devotedly, and he was by her side no matter what. They had three children, Diane, Lavonne and Chris. Nothing stood in his way to be the "Daddy" some only dream of having. He so passionately loved his kids. He often said he thought kids were fun, but had no idea how much joy there would be with grandkids. First came Savannah Marie Watt, then Samantha Lynne Watt, Hunter Shane Richardson and Jacob Fisher Richardson. He came from a large family who knew the real meaning of family and togetherness. His mother and father preceded him in death: Clayton C. Richardson Sr. and Verlie Mae Lucille Stroud Richardson. He has two living brothers, Leroy Richardson of Ronda and Lester Richardson of Essex, Md. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Wilburn Richardson and Clayton C. Richardson. He has a living sister, Era Vanhoy, and was preceded in death by a sister, Edith Richardson. His family surviving, who will always love and cherish his memory, are his wife, Patricia Lucille Pendergrass Richardson of the home; two daughters, Diane Richardson Watt and her husband, Thomas, of Statesville and Lavonne Richardson of Statesville; and a son, Christopher Shane Richardson of Hamptonville. He had four grandchildren, Savannah and Samantha Watt of Statesville and Hunter Shane and Jacob Fisher Richardson of Hamptonville; two brothers, Leroy Richardson of Ronda and Lester Richardson of Maryland; a sister, Era Vanhoy and her husband, Delmar Vanhoy, of Jonesville; sisters-in-law, Beverly Richardson of Elkin and Shelley Richardson Johnson of Ronda; brothers and sisters-in-law, James L. and Judy Rhanor of Canal Winchester, Ohio, Gary and Carolyn Godfrey of Statesville, Cathy P. Johnson of Statesville and Johnny and Vickie Pendergrass of Elkin; and many nieces and nephews. Our farewell to our loving husband, dad and "Papa" will be at Gentry Family Funeral Service Inc., Jonesville. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. today, Aug. 27, with a memorial service following at 6 p.m., with the Rev. Paul Stewart officiating.