Bessie Greene Slade Richardson, “Bess,” 72, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Sentara Hospital in Williamsburg.
Bess was born on December 2, 1953, and grew up in Sussex County, near Stony Creek. She was a graduate of Tidewater Academy and earned a BS in Biology from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1976. After college, Bess worked as a teller at the Bank of Waverly and in 1979 met her husband, Bill Richardson, an engineer at VDOT. They married on September 20, 1980, and lived in a house that Bill renovated in Dendron.
A lifelong member of Sharon United Methodist Church in Yale, Bess faithfully served as church treasurer for 42 years and as pianist and choir director for over 34 years. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and taught Sunday School for many years. Bess was a devoted Christian, with a solid faith, grounded in a long family history of sensible believers. Many in her church family credit her as one of their mentors in the faith.
A real history enthusiast, Bess was a charter member of the Dendron, Sussex County, and Surry County, VA Historical Societies. She attended all Dendron Historical Society meetings and worked the monthly museum openings with Bill.
Bess was most passionate about her work with the Surry Historical Society. She served for many years as volunteer coordinator and chief archivist. Over the years, she assisted countless researchers in using the Society’s resources in their search for genealogical information about their Surry County families. The Surry Ruritan Club named Bess the Volunteer of the Year in 2018 for her dedication. She was elected to two terms as Surry Historical Society President from 2012 to 2016, and served multiple terms on the Board of Directors.
One of Bess’s last projects involved telling the history of the Virginia-type peanut. She proudly served on the Steering Committee for the Western Tidewater Virginia Heritage, which produced the 2019 film “The Virginia Peanut Story.”
Bess loved spending time with her family. She was a loving wife and mother who encouraged and supported her husband and children’s endeavors. While playing the piano was a service to the church, she genuinely enjoyed music and her home was filled with it often. She enjoyed the companionship of the many dogs and cats that she and Bill lived with through the years.
Bess was strong-willed, honest, and discerning, but was also very kind and generous. She had a sharp sense of humor that could surprise you.
Bess was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Sydney Slade and Mary Peebles Slade, and her brother Robert Sydney “Syd” Slade. Jr. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Willie Edward Richardson, Jr., of Dendron; daughter, Mary Anna Richardson Hartley and husband Joey of Surry County; son, Paul Edward Richardson and wife Kate of Charlottesville; and her beloved grandchildren, Julie Hartley and Björn Richardson. Bess is also survived by her dear cousins, John Peebles (Lola) and Proctor Peebles (Kathy), and her beloved in-law siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family wishes to express their gratitude and appreciation to the memory care staff of The Cottage at Spring Arbor in Williamsburg for their compassionate care for Bess during her five months there. They also extend a special thank-you to the incredible ICU nurses and doctors at Sentara Hospital in Williamsburg, who cared for her during her final days.
A Celebration of Life for Bess will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sharon UMC Building Fund, 18133 Comans Well Rd., Yale, VA 23897, or the Surry County, VA Historical Society, PO Box 262, Surry, VA 23883.
