J.W. Richards, 96, of Millport, AL, passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS joining his forever love Nelda in heaven.

Visitation will be Friday, May 16, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Dowdle Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Dowdle Funeral Home with Bro. Ricky Kimbel officiating. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Millport City Cemetery.

Mr. Richards was a life-long resident of Lamar County Alabama, living most of his life on his farm on highway 96. He and his wife Nelda raised cows, chickens, hogs, and 3 grateful children on this farm; Hoyt, Beth, and Denise. Mr. Richards graduated from Millport High School in 1947 and freely told stories of some of the shenanigans he pulled in high school. The sense of humor and mischief followed him into adulthood and way beyond into his job at TCI in Birmingham, A & P Grocery in Columbus, MS, and American Bosch from 1955 to retirement in 1975. J. W. built two broiler chicken houses in 1966 and raised millions of birds until quitting the business in 1997. in 1980, he was elected District 4 Commissioner, where he served four consecutive terms, retiring in 1996. He was a member of the Natural Resource & Conservation Service, the Lamar County Cattleman's Association, and a Lamar County Soil & Water Conservation Agency board member.

He is preceded in death by his wife of more than 50 years, Nelda McGahey Richards, and his daughter Karen Denise (Mark) Hicks. Mr. Richards was the youngest and last surviving child born to Imer M. and Icie Belle Hankins Richards. Preceding him in death were his sisters, Mildred (Chester) Varnon, Jewell (Billy) Baker, Lorene (James) Cash, Monica (Claude) Webster, Faye (Stanley) Trapp; and brother, Lecil (Janet) Richards.

He is survived by his son, James Hoyt (Janice) Richards; daughter, Bethany Lanette (Ernest) Minor; grandchildren, Tracy (Jeff) Richards, Christoper Jones, Laura Beth Tackett, Daniel (Tamara) Tackett, Jeremy (Cody) Ferraez, Chad (Kristin) Ferraez, and Joshua (Hope) Durden; great-granddaughters, Aviana Ferraez, Gabriella Ferraez, Emilia Ferraez, Bailey Ferraez, Taylor Ferraez, Riley Ferraez, Sopia Durden, and Wyatt Durden.

Also mourning his passing are dear friends and honorary pallbearers Jerry and Sarah Sparks, Mrs. Gloria McAdams, and members of the Millport Church of Christ, where he was a member.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews Jeremy Ferraez, Chad Ferraez, Joshua Durden, Daniel Tackett, Wyman Richards, Alvin Trapp, and Wayne Trapp.

Memorials may be made to the Millport Church of Christ or the charity of your choice.