Jerry W. Richardson, 85, of Etowah, died Friday, April 10 at McMinn Memorial Nursing Home in Etowah, TN. He was born November 11, 1929.

Survivors include his faithful wife of 64 years, Ruby Bryan Richardson, daughter and son-in-law, Ginger and Lester Wheeler; beloved granddaughter, Lindsey Jordan Wheeler and her fiancé, Heslie Powell, a brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Eloise Bryan, and many nieces, nephews, and their families, who he loved like his own.

He was preceded in death by parents James Whitcomb Riley Richardson and Mahala Ellen Long Richardson; a brother, Jack D. Richardson, and a sister, Jimmie Lee Coram.

A fifth-generation farmer, Jerry and his family developed one of the most respected dairy herds in the southeast, Gin-Rich Holsteins, earning national show-ring honors and production awards. A beef herd was established in later years; the farm was one of the original switchgrass contract growers with the University of Tennessee BioFuel initiative. Pebblebrook Farms, a true family operation, is a Tennessee Century Farm.

He was the 1978 McMinn County Outstanding Farmer of the year, a member of McMinn Farmers Co-op, McMinn County Farm Bureau, and the McMinn County Agriculture Extension Committee

He was a long-term director of First National Bank and Trust Company.

A devout member of First Baptist Church, Etowah, he served as a deacon, usher, Sunday school teacher, and Chairman of the Sanctuary Building Committee. Jerry warmly greeted folks at the sanctuary door each Sunday.

Pallbearers will be Roger Casteel, Ken Swayne, Dr. Craig Riley, Marty Bryan, Robert Bryan, and Heslie Powell. Honorary pallbearers are his wide circle of farming friends and community neighbors.

Grateful thanks are extended to the physicians at Internal Medicine Associates of Etowah, and the staffs of McMinn Memorial Nursing Home, Amedisys Hospice and Home Health.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2015 at First Baptist Church, Etowah, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 7 p.m. at the church, with Reverend Jack Bryan and Dr. Craig Riley officiating. There will be a private burial at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to First Baptist Church Etowah; New Van Fund; PO Box 317; Etowah, TN 37331; or to Miracle Lake, Administration Building Fund, PO Box 327; Etowah, TN 37331.

The Richardson Family is being served by Bordwine Funeral Home.