Rufus James "Paw-Paw" Richardson

Rufus James "Paw-Paw" Richardson, a resident of Dothan, went home to be with the Lord Monday morning, Nov. 12, 2007, at Southeast Alabama Medical Center with his family by his side. He was 69. Funeral services for Mr. Richardson will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007, at Denton Road United Methodist Church with the Revs. Earl Bridges and John Baxter officiating. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory with Southern Heritage directing. The family will receive friends Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 5 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Denton Road United Methodist Church Building Fund, 2410 Denton Road, Dothan, AL 36303. The family will be at 856 Sanitary Dairy Road, Ashford, AL 36312. Mr. Richardson was born Jan. 1, 1938, in Cottonwood to Ruben and Ida Lou Richardson. He was a veteran of the United States Navy. Mr. Richardson worked in the steel industry for over 38 years and retired from E and H Steel. He was a member of Denton Road United Methodist Church and loved his Lord and his church family. Mr. Richardson enjoyed spending time with his family, working in his garden, his workshop and fishing. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Gyretha Richardson, and a brother, Robert Gurnie Richardson. Mr. Richardson is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Richardson, Dothan; four daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela and Rusty Jackson, Dothan, Linda Barnes, Dothan, Cindy and Rory Nichols, Ashford, Wanda and John Solomon, Dothan; two sons and daughter-in-law, Tony and Kathy Richardson, Dothan, Ronald Ray Richardson, Cowarts; 11 grandchildren, Chasity (Danny) Odom, Whitney Nichols, Crystal Richardson, Justin Richardson, Josh Richardson, Michelle Garrett, Chase (Sara) Solomon-Cobb, J-Leigh Solomon, John (Ashley) Solomon, V, Ivey (Joey) Katz, Stancey (Blake) Tillery; eight great grandchildren; sisters, Patricia and Beamon Sims, Debra Lou and Thornton Moody, Syretha Richardson; brother, Ray and Margaret Richardson; several nieces and nephews also survive. Serving as pallbearers will be Chase Solomon-Cobb, Justin Richardson, Josh Richardson, John Solomon, V, Blake Tillery and Timmy Thomas. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Smith and Rusty Smith. Southern Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, (334) 702-1712, is in charge of arrangements.