Richard England, III

Richard Clarke England Ill, age 48, passed away at his in-laws' home in Jackson, TN, on December 26, 2025, after a brief illness. Richard was born on September 1, 1977, to Richard England Jr. and Barbara Williams England in Memphis, TN. 

He leaves behind his wife, Meredith White England, son Eli, daughter Ella, and son in law to be, Troy Elliott. He is also survived by his parents, sister Amy Van Buskirk and husband Luke, brother Micah England and wife Tori, sister Katie Maxwell and husband Greg, father and mother-in-law, Butch and Paula White, and brother-in-law, Jason White and wife Marsha. Richard's nieces and nephews are Mason and David White, Owen, Grace, Ellie, Matthew, and Asa VanBuskirk, Hadassah and Timothy England, and Lily Jo and Dottie Maxwell. 

Richard attended high school at Jackson Christian School before receiving a bachelor's degree in special education and a Master of Education in administration and supervision from Freed Hardeman University. His freshman year of high school, Richard's family moved to Jackson, TN. That year he met a sophomore who became the love of his life, Meredith White. She was the only girl he dated and the one he would marry. They married on May 23, 1998, and celebrated over 27 years of marriage. On their 4th anniversary, Richard and Meredith welcomed their son Eli. Two years later, daughter Ella completed their family. Richard loved his children fiercely and took every opportunity to talk about them and how proud they made him. 

Richard began his career teaching special education in 1998 at Whitehall Elementary School. He also taught special education and computer science at Lincoln Magnet School before moving into administration. Blending a heart for education and a love of technology, he worked as a teacher, instructional technology coordinator, and director of technology in Jackson Madison County Schools, Fayette County Public Schools, and Hardeman County schools as well as a systems administrator at Freed Hardeman University. 

Richard loved music. He spent many nights playing "Youtube DJ" for family and friends. He loved rhythm and began using spoons and pans to drum on until he convinced his parents to buy a drum set in junior high. Richard became an accomplished percussionist who loved all types of music. Working with a wide range of percussion instruments, his performances as part of an ensemble included musicals such as "The Secret Garden", "Little Shop of Horrors", "Roger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella", and "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown". He also served as a studio musician/drummer for recordings at Dark Horse Recording studios working with Grammy winning audio engineers. Through the years he also freely donated his services for various performances such as a benefit for the STAR Center in Jackson performing with Stan Perkins and Kelley Cash. Richard also loved camping, cooking, watching MASH, The Golden Girls, Andy Griffith, The Muppets, and WWIl documentaries. 

He begrudgingly found a love for roller coasters after several annual trips to Kings Island with his Uncle Bobby, Meredith, Eli, and Ella. He was a fan of College Gameday, Tennessee Vols football, and whoever was playing Alabama. 

Richard worshiped at the Jacks Creek Church of Christ and had previously been a longtime member of the Estes Church of Christ. 

Memorial services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, January 3rd at Estes Church of Christ with Mark Blackwelder and Doug Burleson officiating.The family will receive friends at Estes Church of Christ 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM service time on Saturday.

Shackelford Funeral Directors of Henderson

731-989-2421