Richard Railey Obituary Richard Edward Railey, Jr. October 22, 1948 － July 4, 2023 Courtland － Richard Edward Railey Jr., 74, a widely respected trial attorney, loving son, brother, husband, dad, "Pop", and devoted friend, of Courtland, Virginia, passed away on July 4, 2023 at his beloved beach residence in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. He was born on October 22, 1948 in Franklin, Virginia to Richard Edward Railey, Sr. and Hazel Bradshaw Railey. He and his beloved wife Anne, were wed in 1979 and enjoyed more than 44 years of marriage. Richard practiced law for almost 50 years. He was a 1967 graduate of Southampton High School, a 1971 graduate of The University of Virginia, and a 1974 graduate of Cumberland Law School at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was a member of the Law Review. In 1974, he formed a law partnership, Railey and Railey with his father, Richard Edward Railey, Sr. and later practiced with his son, R. Edward Railey, III. He was forever proud to be a part of his profession and often referred to himself as just a "small town country lawyer." He was completely devoted to his family, friends, and clients. In 1988 Richard became the part-time Southampton County attorney, a position he held and cherished until his death. Richard served on several professional and community boards, including the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association‚Äôs Board of Governors and Political Action Committee. He served as President of Virginia Trial Lawyers Association in 2005, perhaps his proudest professional accomplishment. He was also appointed by Governor Warner and served two terms on the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Board, which he greatly enjoyed. Additionally, he served on Bar Council for many years, was a long-time member of Courtland Ruritan Club, was a Board member of Virginia Hound Heritage, Inc. and lifelong member of the Courtland United Methodist Church. Richard was also an avid sportsman and was passionate about all things on the water and in the woods. He was a member of Davis Ridley and Manry Hunt Clubs. He found peace running his deer hounds, being in the woods, and pretending to fish on the Avalon Fishing Pier with his family and friends. He was known for his beautiful mealtime blessings, and never said amen without thanking the lord for the man he aspired to be, Thomas Jefferson. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Anne and two sons, Richard Edward Railey, III and his wife Katharine of Franklin, Virginia and Benjamin Babb Railey and his wife Tamee of Wakefield, Virginia. He is also survived by three grandchildren whom he loved dearly, granddaughter Danee Railey and two grandsons, Jackson and Samford Railey; sisters Jo Beall of Portland, Oregon, Pamela "Mimi" Merritt and husband Rob of Bluefield, West Virginia and brother John Railey and wife Kathleen, of High Point, North Carolina. He was always so proud of his family and leaves behind several special nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends that he considered family. A memorial service will be held at Courtland United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 8 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception immediately following at Davis Ridley Hunt Club, 25161 Ridley Rd., Newsoms, VA 23874. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Courtland United Methodist Church, 22416 Main Street, Courtland, VA 23837, Davis Ridley Hunt Club, P.O. Box 40, Courtland, VA 23837, or a charity of one‚Äôs choice. Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory － Franklin on Jul. 7, 2023. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/richard-railey-jr 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/richard-railey-obituary?id=52401096 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary: Richard Edward Railey Jr., 74, a respected trial attorney and Southampton County Attorney, passed away on 4 July 2023. He is survived by his wife Anne, sons Richard and Benjamin, and three grandchildren. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services: A memorial service was held at Courtland United Methodist Church on 8 July 2023, followed by a reception at Davis Ridley Hunt Club. ## The Edited Obituary Richard Edward Railey, Jr. 22 October 1948 – 4 July 2023 Courtland – Richard Edward Railey Jr., 74, a widely respected trial attorney, loving son, brother, husband, dad, "Pop", and devoted friend, of Courtland, Virginia, passed away on 4 July 2023 at his beloved beach residence in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. He was born on 22 October 1948 in Franklin, Virginia, to Richard Edward Railey, Sr. and Hazel Bradshaw Railey. He and his beloved wife Anne were wed in 1979 and enjoyed more than 44 years of marriage. Richard practiced law for almost 50 years. He was a 1967 graduate of Southampton High School, a 1971 graduate of The University of Virginia, and a 1974 graduate of Cumberland Law School at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was a member of the Law Review. In 1974, he formed a law partnership, Railey and Railey, with his father, Richard Edward Railey, Sr., and later practiced with his son, R. Edward Railey, III. He was forever proud to be a part of his profession and often referred to himself as just a "small town country lawyer." He was completely devoted to his family, friends, and clients. In 1988, Richard became the part-time Southampton County Attorney, a position he held and cherished until his death. Richard served on several professional and community boards, including the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association's Board of Governors and Political Action Committee. He served as President of Virginia Trial Lawyers Association in 2005, perhaps his proudest professional accomplishment. He was also appointed by Governor Warner and served two terms on the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Board, which he greatly enjoyed. Additionally, he served on Bar Council for many years, was a long-time member of Courtland Ruritan Club, was a Board member of Virginia Hound Heritage, Inc., and a lifelong member of the Courtland United Methodist Church. Richard was also an avid sportsman and was passionate about all things on the water and in the woods. He was a member of Davis Ridley and Manry Hunt Clubs. He found peace running his deer hounds, being in the woods, and pretending to fish on the Avalon Fishing Pier with his family and friends. He was known for his beautiful mealtime blessings, and never said amen without thanking the Lord for the man he aspired to be, Thomas Jefferson. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Anne, and two sons, Richard Edward Railey, III, and his wife Katharine of Franklin, Virginia, and Benjamin Babb Railey and his wife Tamee of Wakefield, Virginia. He is also survived by three grandchildren whom he loved dearly, granddaughter Danee Railey and two grandsons, Jackson and Samford Railey; sisters Jo Beall of Portland, Oregon, Pamela "Mimi" Merritt and husband Rob of Bluefield, West Virginia, and brother John Railey and wife Kathleen, of High Point, North Carolina. He was always so proud of his family and leaves behind several special nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends that he considered family. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Richard Edward Railey, Jr. | |---------|-----------------------------------------------| | Age | 74 | | Birth | 22 October 1948; Franklin, Virginia | | Death | 4 July 2023; Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |----------------------------|----------------|--------------------------------| | Richard Edward Railey, Jr. | Decedent | Courtland, Virginia | | Anne Railey | Spouse | Courtland, Virginia | | Richard Edward Railey, Sr. | Parent | Franklin, Virginia | | Hazel Bradshaw Railey | Parent | Franklin, Virginia | | Richard Edward Railey, III | Child | Franklin, Virginia | | Benjamin Babb Railey | Child | Wakefield, Virginia | | Danee Railey | Grandchild | Unknown | | Jackson Railey | Grandchild | Unknown | | Samford Railey | Grandchild | Unknown | | Jo Beall | Sibling | Portland, Oregon | | Pamela Mimi Merritt | Sibling | Bluefield, West Virginia | | John Railey | Sibling | High Point, North Carolina | ## Other Relevant Information 1. Richard Edward Railey Jr. practiced law for almost 50 years. 2. He was a 1967 graduate of Southampton High School, a 1971 graduate of The University of Virginia, and a 1974 graduate of Cumberland Law School at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was a member of the Law Review. 3. In 1974, he formed a law partnership, Railey and Railey, with his father, Richard Edward Railey, Sr., and later practiced with his son, R. Edward Railey, III. 4. He was the part-time Southampton County Attorney from 1988 until his death. 5. He served on the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association's Board of Governors and Political Action Committee, and served as the association's President in 2005. 6. He was appointed by Governor Warner and served two terms on the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Board. 7. He served on Bar Council for many years, was a long-time member of Courtland Ruritan Club, was a Board member of Virginia Hound Heritage, Inc., and a lifelong member of the Courtland United Methodist Church. 8. He was an avid sportsman and was passionate about all things on the water and in the woods. He was a member of Davis Ridley and Manry Hunt Clubs.