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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 Oct. 22, 1948 in Franklin 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 Gov. Mark 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 is his wife, Anne; two sons, Richard Edward Railey III and his wife Katharine of Franklin and Benjamin Babb Railey and his wife Tamee of Wakefield. 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 a.m. with a reception immediately following at Davis Ridley Hunt Club, 25161 Ridley Road, 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’s choice.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org