RICHMOND—John Catlett “Sonny” Taliaferro, 87, of Richmond departed this life on Monday, April 1, 2024. John was born January 28, 1937, to Claude Errol Taliaferro and Margaret Gale Myers in Oakland, California.
He spent many of his early years between California and Nebraska. During his teenage years, his family settled in White Stone. He graduated along with 11 other classmates including his future wife from White Stone High School in 1954.
John served in the Army Reserves and completed his bachelor’s in accounting from Richmond Professional Institute (VCU) in 1966. John married Betty Jane Somervell in April 1962. They settled in West End Manor of Richmond, where they raised their two sons, Jack and Paul. Upon retirement, they returned to White Stone.
John held various leadership positions throughout his career including Mitchell Wiggins & Company, MacTavish Machine Manufacturing Company, Associated Business Consultants and Virginia Sash & Door.
Despite his busy career and family life, John always made time to give back to his community. He was active with the Methodist churches in both Richmond and the Northern Neck. He helped organize plant sales, food sales and carnivals. He acted as president for Hungry Creek, a local pool association in Richmond. More recently, John served as chairman of the planning and zoning commission for the Town of White Stone.
John and Betty loved entertaining family and friends at their summer home in Ocran. John was an avid waterman who enjoyed boating, fishing, crabbing and oystering on the Chesapeake Bay. He also enjoyed working in his vegetable garden and always had plenty of veggies to share with others.
John is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Somervell Taliaferro; sons, John Catlett Jr. (Sharon) and Paul Gordon (Teri); and grandchildren, Will, Max and Shane.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at White Stone Methodist Church, 118 Methodist Church Road, White Stone, VA 22578. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to White Stone Methodist Church.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
