Richard R. Early passed away peacefully on February 20, 2025 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.  Richard was born July 12, 1944 to James Ballentine Early, Sr. and Mildred Claire Early.  He was raised in the Old Towne section of Portsmouth.  He based his life first on a love of his family and second a love of community at every level.

He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1962 and from Old Dominion University in 1967, where he earned a degree in Finance.  He attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, graduating from The National Trust School.  He later earned the professional designation of Certified Financial Planner.

While at Old Dominion he became a founder of the Eta Chi Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity and was proud to be Eta Chi #5.  He served as Chapter Treasurer and following graduation served as Treasurer of the Eta Chi House Corporation for 30 years.

Richard began his career in banking while working as a teller in college.  His experience in Trust and Investments spanned more than three decades and he served as head of the Trust Departments of Central Fidelity Bank, Citizens Trust Bank, Bank of Lancaster, Bank of the Commonwealth and Southern Bank & Trust.  At a time when Portsmouth was the only city in Hampton Roads without a hometown bank he organized and founded Community Trust Bank, serving as its President and CEO.

His dedication to his community was evident in many positions he held.   He was a member and Past President of The Rotary Club of Portsmouth, a founding member of The Rotary Club of the Northern Neck, a member of The Rotary Club of Churchland, and was a Paul Harris Fellow.  He was Treasurer of Monumental United Methodist Church for many years and was a founder of its Endowment Fund.  He also helped to establish endowment funds for other local churches.  He was Chairman of the Municipal Finance Commission of the City of Portsmouth for 15 years.

He was an officer and director of many civic and charitable organizations including serving as Treasurer of The Hampton Roads United Way, Trustee of the Old Dominion University Educational Foundation, Director of the Tidewater Estate Planning Counsel, Director of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, member of the Board of Directors of The American Heart Association, Director of Community Action, Inc., Director of Child and Family Service,  member of the Committee on Trusts for the Virginia Banker's Association, community representative on the Maryview Hospital Institutional Review Committee, Treasurer of the James Chisholm Foundation, and Director of the American Red Cross of Lancaster County,

Richard grew up sailing at the Portsmouth Boat Club and was that club's last Commodore.  His interest in genealogy led him to trace his family back to the 1400's.  He was a member of The Jamestowne Society, The Somerset Chapter Magna Charta Barons, the Plantagenet Society, and the First Families of North Carolina.

He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Frances Early Tuck, and two brothers James Ballentine Early, Jr. and Gerald Lee Early.  He is survived by his wife of 57 years Martha Ellen Tierney Early; two daughters, Ellen Lynn Early of Chesapeake, VA and Mary Paige Early Phillips (Jonathan) and three grandchildren, Jonathan Scott Phillips, Jr., Caroline Darden Phillips and William Charles Phillips of Raleigh, NC.

A Celebration of Life and luncheon will be held at 11 am on Thursday, February 27 at the Portsmouth Women's Club, 304 Sycamore Road, Portsmouth, VA.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, The Jamestowne Society, 3901 Midlands Road, Williamsburg, VA  23188, or to the charity of your choice.  Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.

The family wishes to express appreciation to Richard's personal caregivers Roland Rich and Jeffrey Byrum, to the caregivers at Churchland House Senior Living, and the Sun Crest Hospice team who provided so much kindness and care.