Virginia B. Richardson

Virginia Beckley Richardson left her birthplace of Las Vegas, Nevada on August 15, 2017, after over 100 years as a resident. Born shortly after the founding of Las Vegas, Virginia was a pioneer, leading the life and forming the values that helped set her young city on a course that shaped and enriched future generations.

Virginia was born on January 29, 1917, the second child of Leva and William Beckley. Will Beckley arrived in Las Vegas and painted buildings before he recognized the town’s need for a men’s clothing store. He opened his first store in a tent-like structure at Main and Fremont, then returned to Illinois to convince his love, Leva, a schoolteacher, to return with him to Las Vegas. Despite Leva’s shock at the wind and dust, she got off the train and made Las Vegas her home. Will opened an expanded “Beckley’s Men’s Furnishing Store” on First and Fremont where the Pioneer Club later stood. Will also built their one bedroom family home at 120 South Fourth Street at a cost of $2,500.

Virginia was often asked to recount what it was like to live in a town of no paved streets, no heat, no cooling system, refrigerators of wood cooled by a block of ice replenished three times a week, no irrigation (Virginia’s job was to carry water in her red wagon for the trees in their yard), washing clothes using water heated on a wood stove in the back yard - and the fresh smell of line dried wash – this is the Las Vegas in which she grew up. Years later, she and her brother, Bruce Beckley, a longtime Las Vegas attorney, donated the original family home to become a part of the Historic Las Vegas Homes exhibit at the Heritage Museum.

Virginia graduated from Las Vegas High School, where she was the editor of the school newspaper and involved in numerous sports, at age 16. She was too young to attend college, so she kept books and clerked in her father’s store for a year before being accepted to Scripps College in Claremont, California. She attended Scripps for two years and finished her education at the University of Nevada – Reno, where she graduated in 1937 with a degree in Business Administration. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and also acted as part-time secretary to Richard Kirman, Sr., the Governor of Nevada.

It was at UNR that Virginia met her future husband, Jack A. Richardson. Although he graduated two years earlier than Virginia, they kept in touch and married in 1939. Jack had graduated from the ROTC program as a Second Lieutenant in the Army-Air Force and eventually retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force. Jack served in both World War II and the Korean War and spent time at various military posts, both in the United States and Italy, before the couple could settle together again in Las Vegas.

Virginia kept busy while Jack was in the service. While he was away, Virginia oversaw Jack’s businesses. She was also a member of the Grey Ladies at Nellis Hospital (writing letters and running errands for injured soldiers), on the U.S.O. Board (arranging dances and other entertainment for Nellis soldiers), a member of the Seventh Street United Methodist Church (her parents were founding members) and a member of the American Red Cross.

Her legacy of service continued for many years. As one of the pioneers of Las Vegas, she initiated the tradition of service to the community. She was an early supporter of the American Cancer Society, Boys Republic, Nathan Adelson Hospice and The Meadows School. She was President of the Service League of Las Vegas (now the Junior League). She especially enjoyed working with the children’s programs – the library reading program, arranging clothing for needy children at the Thrift Store, and the immunization clinic. She fondly remembered the days when booths at the Annual Carnival Fundraiser were constructed by the husbands.

After his military service, Jack opened the Las Vegas War Surplus Store, then Rich’s Hardware and Men’s Clothing Store and finally the Gold Strike Inn and Casino at Boulder City before retiring. He and Virginia traveled extensively through Europe, accompanied by their golf clubs and a deck of cards. After Jack’s death in 1993, Virginia continued to both travel and play cards – she and her friends had a weekly bridge game at Las Vegas Country Club well into her 90s. She also continued a tradition of Christmas and other holiday parties with her “younger” lady friends – who described her as always elegant and well dressed, and a generous and devoted friend.

Virginia is survived by sons Robert (Saundra) and William (Linda) of Las Vegas; grandchildren Kristi Richardson Albertini (Paul) of Plymouth, Minnesota; Robb (Kristin) of Las Vegas; William of Las Vegas; and Melissa Richardson-Akkaway (Edward) of Malibu, California; and great grandchildren Peyton, Trey and Kiernan Albertini; Bodie and Wyatt Richardson; Bianca and Gianna Richardson; and Jack and Ford Akkaway.

At the request of Virginia, funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, she suggested donations be made to Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada.

She also requested that her friends and family “have a Scotch on the rocks” for both her and Jack.

We will miss, but never forget, the gracious, giving, loving, and always loved, Virginia Beckley Richardson.