757.628.1000

Major F. Riddick, Sr.


Sunrise: April 5, 1926

Sunset: November 8, 2022

Major Franklin Riddick, Sr. began his life’s journey on April 5th 1926 along with his twin brother Miles Thomas Riddick. His parents were the late Ida Young Riddick and Walter A. Riddick Sr.  He was educated in the Norfolk Public School system and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School.

Major was baptized at the age of 12 at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va. He was a dedicated member for many years. He held the position of Assistant Superintendent of Sunday School for 40 years. Major was also a Trustee at the church for many years and upon his departure from Mount Lebanon, was named Trustee Emeritus. In 2017, Major became a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia where he was an active member until his health began to fail.

After High School, Major joined the Military (Army) for 3 years. Upon leaving the Military he was employed by the United States Postal Service as a Data Technician. He also held the positions of Mail Carrier, Distribution Clerk and Classification and Inquiry Clerk. In September of 1972, after 25 years of service at the Post Office, Major went back into active duty in the Military. He worked in the office of the Secretary of Defense as a Military Liaison at the Veterans Administration Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Following that position he was sent to Germany where he worked as an In-service Recruiter for 10 years. He was very proud of his military service and inspired many Veterans to become Reservist. Major retired from the military as a Master Sergeant in the Office of The Secretary of Defense in June of 1986. At that time he began working full-time at one of the businesses that he founded, Professional Business Service, Inc. (This was a business that he had operated part-time during his employment with the Postal Service). His role at this business was financial advisor to medium net worth individuals and small companies focusing on tax accounting and planning, business planning, feasibility studies, funds auditing and management. He continued working in this business as recently as last year.

In addition, Major had 23 dental hygienist under a government contract that serviced all Military Installations in the Hampton Roads area. In 1993, Major established MBC, Inc a non-profit organization and received a grant that serviced the at-risk and HIV/AIDS population.

Major was the Coordinator for Case Managers and Outreach workers for the Ryan White Care Act, Title 1 Grant which included securing housing for homeless clients.

Major has served as President of the Family Life Center for Social Change, Inc. which targeted youth and families in low-income areas and public housing as well as the homeless. They provided a variety of programs to help the total family.

Major was a board member of the NCP community development Federal Credit Union serving as Treasurer as well as a member of the Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men. He was also very active in the Booker T. Washington High School Alumni Association, planning programs and other activities

Major was a proud member of the Freemasons, Rising Sun Lodge Number 2. He was the oldest member of the lodge and was presented a special award for 50 plus years of service. Plans had been made to bestow the honor of lifetime member to him but prior to the actual date of the presentation, God called Major home.

Major holds a variety of certifications in the areas of Accounting, Computer Concepts and Nursing Home Administration, among others. Education was very important to him. He attended several institutions of learning such as:

University of Maryland

Winston-Salem College of Business Administration

Richard Bland College

University of Georgia

Major was a wonderful family man and a surrogate father to many. He stressed the importance of education and being all that you could be. He was well loved and respected by the Business and Professional community as well as his church and family.

Major leaves to cherish his memory his son, Major Riddick, Jr. (Manervia) of Maryland, his daughters, Katrina Riddick of Maryland and Lydia Riddick Staton of Connecticut, his sisters, Roslyn Cunningham (Cary) and Norma Trotman (Marvin), both of Virginia, his nieces, Eleanor Eason, Stephanie Perry, Trudy Stiff and Vida Hawkins of Virginia, his grandchildren, Myrica Riddick (Major  Jr.’s daughter) of North Carolina,  Makeda Staton (Lydia’s daughter) of Connecticut, Keenan Harris (Morgan) (Dywanna’s son) of South Carolina, Kenya Harris (Dywanna’s daughter) of Virginia, great grandchildren, Khristian Harris and Kaiden Harris both of South Carolina, Kason Harris and Keyari Harris both of Virginia; and, special friends Mrs. Viola Code Riddick (Major Jr.’s and Katrina’s mother) of Virginia, Mrs. Lillian Riddick (Lydia’s mother) of Connecticut, Paralee Percy (Lorenza Percy Sr.’s widow) of Virginia, Reverend William Collins and Eleanor Collins of Virginia, Juanita Ida Beverly (Major’s lifetime Secretary) of Virginia and numerous others dear to Major, nephews, nieces, cousins, Church family, adopted family and friends.

Major was predeceased by his loving wife of 46 years, Margaret Meeks Riddick and daughter Dywanna Harris Copeland (Ricardo), his sister Minnie Riddick Nelson, twin brother Miles Riddick, older brother Walter A. Riddick, Jr., best friend Lorenza Percy, Sr. and many other dear family members, Booker T. Washington High School of Norfolk, Virginia classmates (Class of 1944/45) and friends.

Major loved them all!

Viewing Friday, November 25, 2022 2:00pm - 6:00pm Metropolitan Funeral Service 7246 Granby Street Norfolk, VA 23505 Service COME IN PERSON OR WATCH SERVICE LIVE ONLINE Saturday, November 26, 2022 11:00am Metropolitan Funeral Service Granby Chapel Interment Albert G. Horton Veteran Cemetery 5310 Milners Road Suffolk, VA 23434

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Condolences(13)

  1. reply
    Rev. Garfield & Ethel Cross III says

    Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears[a] we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is, 1 Jn 3:2
    Major, we truly celebrate the life of your dad. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the family. Ethel & Garfield

  2. reply
    Cynthia Walker Mitchell says

    My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

  3. reply
    Jonathan Johnson says

    My heart felt condolence to you on the passing of your father. Keeping you in my prayers 🙏.

  4. reply
    Thomas Hasty says

    Major and Katrina, you have my most sincere condolences on the passing of your father.

  5. reply
    Hilda C Cuffee says

    Sincere condolences to you and your family. May you feel GOD’s loving presence at this time.

  6. reply
    Harold L Hagans, Jr says

    Our sincere condolences.
    Blessings,
    Harold & Teresa Hagans
    Lorton, VA

  7. reply
    Rev. Dr. James Edwards, lll says

    Our condolences to the family of Major Riddick , Sr. on the passing of the patriach of your family.

    Rev. Dr. James and Rev. Dee Edwards, lll

    • reply
      James & Cyndi Barker says

      We loved Major very much, as our neighbor for the last 20 years, we will always be here for the family, our family.

  8. reply
    Dr. & Mrs. James Watkins; Hampton, VA says

    Our deepest condolences to family on the loss of such a Great Gentleman!

  9. reply
    Head / Edwards Family of Titustown (Diven Street) says

    Stephanie, Trudy Condolences and prayers for your family.

  10. reply
    Sandra D Elliot says

    Mr. Riddick was a very kind man. He will be truly missed. I am sorry to hear of your loss. The family will remain in my prayerz.

  11. reply
    Toby Jones and Family says

    Major, sending my deepest condolences to you and your family in this time of sorrow. God will give you strength.

    • reply
      Lolita Hanna says

      I am so sorry for your loss. Major recruited me in the Army Reseves back in 1985. I met him at Ft. Benning and I always wondered about him, and where he ended up. God bless the family as I offer my sincerest condolences

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