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Celebrating the life of Eddie L. Radden, Jr.
Agreed to by the Senate, February 26, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 2, 2026
WHEREAS, Eddie L. Radden, Jr., a loving father, devoted community leader, and former doorkeeper for the House of Delegates, died on May 14, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Eddie Radden grew up in the Blackwell neighborhood of Richmond and was a graduate of the city's historic Maggie Walker High School; and
WHEREAS, a longtime civil rights activist and lifetime member of the NAACP, Eddie Radden met with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during one of his visits to Richmond and participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963; and
WHEREAS, Eddie Radden spearheaded the establishment of the parent-teacher association at J.H. Blackwell Elementary School in Richmond and served as its president for two years, contributing to the success of many young people both in and out of the classroom; and
WHEREAS, Eddie Radden played a pivotal role in securing improvements for the historically Black Mount Olivet Cemetery in Richmond, helping to respect and preserve the legacy of the individuals who are interred there; and
WHEREAS, Eddie Radden was a lifelong member of the Richmond Branch of the NAACP, who served on the organization's membership committee and attended several national conventions; in recognition of his tireless advocacy and service with the NAACP Crusade for Voters, he was presented with the NAACP President's Award in 2015 and honored for his longstanding commitment to civil rights and social justice in 2024; and
WHEREAS, Eddie Radden joined the House of Delegates as a doorkeeper in 2001 and quickly earned the admiration and respect of his colleagues and the members of the General Assembly for his professionalism; and
WHEREAS, Eddie Radden upheld the honor and decorum of the House of Delegates with extraordinary care and integrity until his well-earned retirement in 2024; and
WHEREAS, Eddie Radden enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as a life member of Broomfield Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, where he served faithfully for more than 85 years in a variety of capacities, including Sunday school superintendent and youth advisor; and
WHEREAS, Eddie Radden was a proud member of Hobson Lodge No. 23 of the Free and Accepted Masons, where he held the office of worshipful master in 1986; he strove to always live by the Masonic principles of faith, hope, and charity; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife of 39 years, Helen, Eddie Radden will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Deborah, Eddie III, Cheryl, Mary, Dwayne, and Martin, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Eddie L. Radden, Jr., an esteemed member of the Richmond community who served the Commonwealth as doorkeeper of the House of Delegates for more than two decades; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Eddie L. Radden, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.