Joseph "Riley" Todd

Mr. Joseph Riley Todd passed away Saturday, August 19 at his home, surrounded by his family in Happy Valley, North Carolina.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 4:00 at Yadkin Baptist Church, Patterson, North Carolina, with Reverends Stuart White, Robert Livingston, and Henry Cook officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 prior to the service at the church.

Pallbearers will be: Chris Todd, Brent Clark Jr., Casey May, Corey Hooks, Sam Harrison and Brent Todd. Honorary Pallbearers from Riley’s Sunday School class include: Herbert Miller, Clifford Sloan, Charles Taylor, Tommy Eller and Ralph Watts.

Mr. Todd was born June 7, 1928, to John Carl (JC) and Pearl Todd. He was a life-long member of Yadkin Baptist Church. He had served as a Lifetime Deacon, Royal Ambassadors teacher, choir member, and on several mission teams.  Mr. Todd grew up in Buffalo Cove where his parents owned and ran Todd’s Country Store, a historically successful business that was opened in 1924.  As a young boy he helped his parents with the store and had many adventures with his friends playing in the creek and running through the hills of his beloved Buffalo Cove. In recent years he was often seen at the store entertaining visitors with his many stories of growing up in the Buffalo community, particularly of the time that he accidentally shot a hole in the ceiling of the store (which can still be seen today). He was a master wood carver all his life, retiring from Harper Furniture after a 45-year career.  Mr. Todd’s life was one of service, continuing the legacy of his parents through his church, the Happy Valley Ruritan Club, and helping neighbors and those less fortunate, eternally positive, and always with a wonderful smile on his face.

Mr. Todd was preceded in death by his parents, JC and Pearl Todd, his loving wife, Louanne Miller Todd, one son, Joseph Riley Todd Jr, one sister, Nina Todd, and one brother, Bunah Todd.

Mr. Todd is survived by two daughters, Ann Todd Clark (Brent) of Lenoir; Robin Todd Spicer (John) of Blowing Rock; a daughter-in-law, Susan Rudisill (Alan) of Lenoir. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Chris Todd (Erica) of Charlotte, NC; Brent Clark Jr. (Amanda) of Macon, GA; Amy Clark Hooks (Corey) of Lenoir, NC; Laura Todd May (Casey) of Asheville, NC; Brooke Nina Hall of Gastonia, NC; Jennifer Rudisill of Lenoir, NC; and Savannah Lonon Hall (Sam) of San Francisco, CA. Mr. Todd is survived by 16 great-grandchildren, Abby, Samuel, and Jacob Todd of Charlotte, NC, Henry and Julia May of Asheville, NC, Riley Clark of Macon, GA, Maddie Hanson (Noah) of Fort Bragg, NC, Bethany, Milly, and Ella Hanson of Lenoir, NC, Jadyn, Peyton and Kalyn Bolick of Lenoir, NC, Carson and Carter Hooks of Lenoir, NC, Brynlee Hall Sherfey of Winchester, VA, sister, Mary Miller (Herburt) of Lenoir, NC; sister, Sadie Woods of Jefferson, NC and numerous other family members.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Yadkin Baptist Church, PO Box 37, Patterson, NC 28661, Bethel Colony of Mercy, 1675 Bethel Colony Road, Lenoir, NC 28645 or Amorem, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Evans Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Riley Todd.