Julious Earl Richmond

Earl was born on November 14, 1931, to parents Sidney and Henrietta Jeffries Richmond. The baby boy of the family, he was the thirteenth of 14 children. He was united in Holy Matrimony to Bettie Dean Lipscomb Richmond on February 14, 1953. They enjoyed a blissful union for 67 years.  He was blessed with a daughter, Vanessa (Twinkle), on February 6, 1956; and on June 5, 1999, he gained a lovable son in-law, Ray Lee Graves, Jr.

Earl grew up in Milton where he was a member of St. Andrews AME Church until its closure by the Western District Conference.  He subsequently became a member of River Zion Baptist Church where he joined his wife and daughter. There he served as a deacon, a trustee, an usher, a Male Chorus member, and a Milton Missionary Circle member. He genuinely enjoyed worship, fellowship, and serving God. In times of need, one needed only to ask for his help and he would give the shirt off his back.

Earl was predeceased by siblings: Morris (Brier Rabbit), James (Bro), Archie (Shorty), Lula, Elmer (Sister), Jerline (Jean), Earcelle (Cell), Joylette, Clarence, Freddie, Harvey, and Edro.

Earl was a major figure in the community who would bush hog fields for others and work on anything like a “trader joe.”  He basically thought that he was a master jack of all trades. His favorite phrase was, “It’s for me to know and for you to find out.” His favorite songs were Precious Lord take my Hand and “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” by Freddie Fender. His favorite foods were peanuts, Kool-Aid, and peach cobbler.    Earl was a father figure to numerous people: Vicki Richmond-Moore, Jackie G. Waters, Barbara B. Stanley, Charlene Reid, Rita and Ashley Cobb, Elaine Mills-Tyson,Cynthia (Cimp) Lipscomb-Brown, Tori Waters, Tymesia Jones Smaw, Barry Richmond, Ray Richmond, Brad Perry, Chanel Mangum, Donald Lea, Jr. , and Keith Taylor.

Earl was a brother, a farmer, a family man, and a God fearing man. He cherished his wife of 67 years, loved his cows, and enjoyed barbering for over 67 years. He served in the US Army as a first sergeant in an artillery unit while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.

Earl was a devoted husband, a doting daddy, a loving father in-law, and a friend to countless many. He leaves to continue his legacy and to cherish his memory: a loving wife, Bettie; a daughter, Vanessa (Twinkle) and son in-law Ray Lee Graves of Milton, NC; a sister, Janie Richmond Lownes of Charlotte, NC;  a brother in-law, Michael Dale Lipscomb and wife Pat of Milton, NC; a sister in-law, Exie C. Lipscomb of Milton, NC; a god son, Sidney Evans of Greensboro, NC; and a plethora of additional family members and friends.                                               

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