John Wesley Richmond, Jr.

John Wesley Richmond Jr., 83, went home to be with his gracious Heavenly Father on Friday, April 26th, 2024 at Bowers Hospice House and is now walking the golden streets of glory he spent most of his life singing about.  His love for sharing the Gospel through preaching and music was evident to everyone who met him.  He devoted his life to being a pastor at several local churches with his wife, Pearl, by his side.  For most of his ministry, he was the pastor at New Salem Baptist Church where he loved playing the guitar and singing with the New Salem Gospel Singers.  Recently, he regularly attended Virginia Street Baptist Church.

He retired from Raleigh County Board of Education as a bus driver, where he brightened many days as students made their way to and from school.  He worked hard to earn his Associates of Divinity degree from Liberty University.  He knew how to do almost anything, from growing the best potatoes and woodturning a bowl to building houses and working on cars and machinery.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, woodwork, playing instruments, singing, and playing jokes on anyone and everyone.  Recently, he was passionate about making the instruments that he loved to play.  Most of all, he loved his time with family and cherished every second that he could play with the great-grandchildren.  He will remain our example of living life to its fullest, always finding a reason to laugh, and most importantly, keeping Christ as our focus.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and pastor.

He was preceded in death by his parents John Wesley Richmond and Elsie Richmond; stepmother, Nova Richmond; his wife and forever sweetheart, Pearl Richmond, of 59 years; infant daughter, Sheila Richmond; and six siblings.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Barbara Richmond, of 6 years; three children, Sandra Lilly and husband Eldridge, Stanley Richmond and wife Freda, Sara Persinger and husband Mike; seven grandchildren, Dr. Jessica Campbell, Dr. Cara Leckey and husband Dr. John Leckey, Joshua Richmond, Cody Richmond, Dylan Richmond, Megan Harper and husband Jess, Melissa Mills and husband Isaac; ten great-grandchildren, Poe, Coulter, Lily, Zoey, Wesley, Hunter, Haley, Leah, Zane and Violet; brother, Roy Richmond; and special niece, Karen.  Also left to cherish his memory are the daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of his wife, Barbara, and include Clarissa, Rena, Donna, Elissa, Gary, Jaeden, Leslie, and Tyler.

The family would like to thank Bowers Hospice House and all who visited and helped during his last days.

Funeral services will be conducted at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley on Wednesday, May 1st at 1:00 PM with Pastor Doug Holley officiating. Burial will follow at the Persinger-Richmond cemetery in Fayetteville, WV. Friends may visit from 12 PM until service time on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Ron Williams, Isaac Mills, Jess Harper, Wesley Harper, Chad Thompson, and Corey Thompson will serve as pallbearers. Tyler Lively will serve as an honorary pallbearer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive Beckley, West Virginia.

Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net .

Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV.