Richard Donald Underwood

BLUEFIELD — Richard Donald Underwood, Sr. age 72 of RT 1, Box 414 (Littlesburg Road), Bluefield, W.Va., passed away Friday, December 18, 2009 at his residence. Born December 12, 1937 at Premier, WV he was the son of the late Jesse and Daisy Mae Duncan Underwood. Mr. Underwood was raised to work on cars since his teenage years. Richard developed a mastery in transmission repair. Moving to Bluefield, he began a career in automotive repair with Cole Motors. Later working with Howard Ealy and also worked at multiple dealerships. In 1968 he founded Underwood's Transmission and Body Shop in Bluewell, W.Va. He received a doctor of motor repair degree in the early 70s. Throughout the years he served his "customers" with pride and friendship. His son joined him in 1978 and now runs the family business. Mr. Underwood was an active member of the Bluewell Baptist Church. He served as Deacon until the time of his illness. His hobby was restoring antique cars for both himself and his customers.In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two daughters, Ellen Faye Whistlehunt and Charlotte Ann Parker; one infant son, Joseph Underwood; one sister, Pearl Mae Bowman; four brothers, John McKinley "JK" , Paul, Raymond, and Granville Underwood.Survivors include: wife, Phyllis Ann Jackson Underwood of Bluefield, W.Va.; one son, Richard D. Underwood, Jr. and wife Tammy; two daughters, Sherry Lynn Smith and husband Dennis of Paris Ky., Betty Underwood Cline and husband David of Tazewell, Va.; three brothers, Fred Underwood of Colorado Springs, Colo., Jesse James "Duke" Underwood of Lucedale, Miss., Hershall "Pete" Underwood of Cleveland, Ohio. Grandchildren include: Michael Whistlehunt and wife Sherry of Princeton, W.Va., Tracy England of Nemours, Va., Beth Parker Belcher and husband Brian of Mint Hill, N.C., Jamie D. Parker and wife Melissa of Fort Mill, S.C., Richard D. Underwood III and wife Christine of Regina Saskatchewan, Canada, Paige Mustard Holland and husband Scott of Bluefield, W.Va., Sean Mustard of Paris, Ky., Joshua Cline, Zachary Cline and Kaleb Cline of Tazewell, Va. Seven great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a special niece, Tracie Bowman of Cleveland, Ohio.Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Underwood's Brother, Rev. Hershall "Pete" Underwood and Rev. Jim Milam officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, Va.Friends may call Monday, December 21, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Grandchildren and nephews will serve as pallbearers.