[NFBV-Richmond-Announce] The passing of Gerald Meradith

Tue Jul 7 18:22:18 UTC 2026

*Obituary: Celebrating the Life of Gerald Meredith Jr.*

July 5, 1967 – July 2, 2026

It is with profound sadness, yet with deep gratitude for a life
magnificently lived, that we announce the transition of Gerald Meredith
Jr., who passed away on July 2, 2026, just three days shy of his 59th
birthday. A resident of Ettrick, Virginia, Gerald was a devoted family man,
a proud veteran, a passionate scholar, and a tireless advocate for others.
In his final act of profound generosity, Gerald gave the gift of life to
others through organ donation, sharing his heart, liver, and kidneys.

A Life of Service and Honor

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on July 5, 1967, Gerald carried a spirit of
resilience and leadership throughout his life. He honorably served his
country as a veteran of the United States Army.

Following his military service, Gerald dedicated years of his professional
life to public safety, working at the Sussex I State Prison until his
retirement due to his loss of vision. Gerald was diagnosed with Leber
Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare genetic disorder that causes a
loss of central vision. Rather than allowing this diagnosis to limit him,
it became the catalyst for a powerful second chapter of leadership and
advocacy.

Gerald's life was defined by his unwavering commitment to community
empowerment. He served with distinction as the President of the Blinded
Veterans Association Richmond Chapter and was a dedicated member of both
the American Legion and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). Driven
by a deep sense of justice and compassion, he served as the NFB advocate
and liaison for incarcerated members at the Deerfield Correctional Center,
ensuring that those often forgotten still had a powerful voice.

His leadership and expertise were recognized at the highest levels; he was
appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin to the State Rehabilitation Council
for the Blind and Vision Impaired. A proud alumnus, Gerald was also an
active member of the Chesterfield Chapter of the Virginia State University
Alumni Association, and at the time of his passing, he was passionately
pursuing his PhD in Criminal Justice.

Family and Legacy

While his public achievements were vast, Gerald’s greatest joy was his
family, leaving behind a rich legacy of love and devotion.

Gerald’s memory will be forever cherished by his beloved wife of nearly 35
years, Alesia Meredith; his daughter, Mystique Meredith, and his son,
Marques Meredith. He is also survived by his devoted mother, Veronne
Turner; his sister, Quentelle Jones (Marlon); his brothers, Quentin
Meredith and Anthony Turner; his mother-in-law, Clara Farrar; and his
sister-in-law, Simone Farrar. His vibrant spirit lives on through a
generation of joy, including 7 nieces, 2 nephews, 3 great-nieces, and 4
great-nephews, as well as a host of extended family, colleagues, and
friends. Gerald was preceded in death by his brother, Lance Meredith, and
his nephew, Ste'fan Johnson.

Service Information

Family and friends are invited to gather to honor and celebrate Gerald's
incredible life and legacy.

   - What: Homegoing Celebration for Gerald Meredith, Jr.
   - When: Sunday, July 12, 2026
   - Time: 4:00 PM
   - Where: American Legion, Varina Post 233

8088 Recreation Rd

Henrico, VA 23231

*A repast will immediately follow the ceremony at the same location.*

Memorial Donations

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be
made in Gerald's honor to the organizations closest to his heart. Please
direct contributions to:

   - National Federation of the Blind: nfb.org
   - Blinded Veterans Association (Richmond, VA Chapter): Donor Hotline:
   (800) 669-7079

*"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."*

Gerald’s legacy will endure through the countless lives he touched, the
systems he changed for the better, and the individuals who live on today
because of his final, heroic gifts.

Professional Services Entrusted To:

March Funeral Home

Richmond, Virginia

Alesia F. Meredith, MBA, Notary, ITILv4
afmeredith15 at gmail.com
804-536-9296 (C)

On Thu, Jul 2, 2026 at 10:37 PM Domonique Lawless via
NFBV-Richmond-Announce <nfbv-richmond-announce at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Dear Richmond Chapter Family,
>
> It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend and
> fellow Federationist, Gerald Meradith.
>
> Gerald had recentky been experiencing significant health challenges and
> was receiving care in the ICU at a local Richmond hospital. While we had
> prayed for his recovery, we are heartbroken by his passing.
>
> Gerald was an integral part of the Richmond Chapter, always willing to
> lend a hand in planning events and supporting our mission. Beyond our
> chapter, he was deeply involved in the blinded veteran community, where he
> dedicated himself to helping veterans discover that there is life, hope,
> and endless possibility after vision loss. His compassion, encouragement,
> and commitment touched the lives of countless people.
>
> More than his many contributions, Gerald was our brother in the Federation
> and a cherished friend to many. His kindness, generosity, and steady
> presence will be deeply missed.
>
> Please keep Gerald’s wife, Alesia, their two adult children, and all who
> loved him in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
>
> We will share funeral and memorial service information as soon as it
> becomes available.
>
> With sympathy,
>
> Domonique
>
> _______________________________________________
> NFBV-Richmond-Announce mailing list
> NFBV-Richmond-Announce at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbv-richmond-announce_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NFBV-Richmond-Announce:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbv-richmond-announce_nfbnet.org/afmeredith15%40gmail.com
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbv-richmond-announce_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260707/c87e9f71/attachment.htm>