Dorothy Richmond Stephens

Dorothy Richmond Stephens passed away on February 20, 2026, after several years of declining health. She was born in Danville on September 11, 1926, and was the daughter of the late George Preston and Nellie Hopper Richmond. She graduated from George Washington High School and attended Averett College in Danville. In 1948 she married the love of her life, William Carrington Stephens who predeceased her in 2017. She was a lifelong member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her sisters, Rachael R. Covington and Kathryne R. Valentine.

She is survived by her daughter, Carole Stephens Read, son in-law, J. Pendleton Read, III, grandson, William Pendleton Read – all from Lynchburg, her sister and brother in-law, Nancy and David Ramsey of San Diego, California, and her special friends Edna Griffith, Bill Ferrell, and Susan Cheever.

Dottie was a secretary with Southern Railway and later a bookkeeper with D&M Bus Company where her husband, Bill, was co-owner. The two of them greatly enjoyed traveling to all 48 states of the mainland U.S. Most of all, she loved her family and especially her grandson, Will.

A funeral will be held in Danville at Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church at 2:00 PM on Monday, February 23, 2026, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park.