Cheely, Richard W.

Richard Wilson Cheely, 90, passed away Monday, October 22, 2007 in Clemmons, NC, where he had lived since leaving Petersburg to be with his family. He was a lifelong resident of Petersburg since his birth in Brunswick County, VA. Mr. Cheely was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Williams and Elizabeth Daniel and a brother, Robert Cheely. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Helen Ellington Cheely; daughter, Betty Craven and husband, Erle Bulla Craven, IV; grandchildren, Hannah Elizabeth Craven and Erle Bulla Craven, V all of Winston Salem, NC; brother, Walter E. Cheely of Colonial Heights; sister, Maria C. Kosec of Wickliffe, OH and Arcadia, FL; and a number of nieces and nephews in addition to a brother-in-law, Willis Daniel of Colonial Heights. Mr. Cheely served for 43 years in the U. S. Postal Service, 40 of which were in Petersburg, before retiring as Postmaster in Stony Creek. He was a former member and Chairman of the Administrative Board of Memorial United Methodist Church and was most recently a member of Washington Street United Methodist Church. He held lifetime membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles, where he served 25 years as Secretary of the local Aerie and also held various state and national offices. Affectionately known as “Slats the Clown”, Cheely led an Eagles clown group that took part in Eagles convention parades throughout the U. S. and Canada. He was selected as most outstanding comic each year in which he participated. He was a former member of Petersburg Kiwanis, Petersburg Elks, Dinwiddie Moose Lodge, as well as Post C of TPA, past president of Petersburg AARP, and a longtime member of POGO (Petersburg Old Geezers Organization). During the 1970’s, he served on the Petersburg School Board and was president of the Petersburg High School Boosters Club for several years. Prior to his election as Mayor, he served on the city planning commission and recreation advisory board. Dick Godsey, past president of Kiwanis, once said “Mayor Cheely may be new on the job of administering the affairs of our city, but those of us who have been observing his actions and ability, one comes to the conclusion that it’s not only experience that counts in leadership, but good ole common sense in recognizing the other fellow’s view point that pays off in the long run.” The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday, October 24, at the Petersburg Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday, in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Blandford Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Washington Street UMC, 22 East Washington Street, Petersburg, VA 23803. Condolences may be registered at www.jtrmorriss.com.