A Family Man at Heart: Richard Davis “Dick” Meredith Leaves a Legacy Spanning Four Generations

 Richard Davis “Dick” Meredith, 72, is being remembered by his family and community after passing peacefully at his home in Columbia, Louisiana, on August 27, 2026, surrounded by the people he loved. Born March 7, 1954, in Columbia, Dick built a life centered on family, commitment, and relationships that continued across generations. His passing leaves his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and friends with memories of a man whose greatest joy was the family he helped build.

Dick was born to the late Robert Frederick Meredith Jr. and Janette McKeithen Meredith. He was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Bobby Meredith. While those losses formed part of his own family history, Dick continued creating a strong circle of love around those closest to him. His life ultimately became defined by the generations that followed, with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren carrying forward the family traditions and memories connected to his name.

He is survived by his loving spouse, Linda, and his children Katie Robinson and her husband, Jack; John Meredith and his wife, Melissa; Lauren George and her husband, Kade; Lenzy Phillips and her husband, Colton; and Dalton Meredith. Dick was also a grandfather to 13 grandchildren and a great-grandfather to five great-grandchildren. His brothers Bob Meredith and Belinda, Mark Meredith and Mel, and Scott Meredith and Jane also survive him, along with other relatives and loved ones.

The size of Dick’s family speaks to the generations of relationships surrounding his life. Being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather gave him a role that extended far beyond any single stage of adulthood. Each generation carries its own memories of him, from family gatherings and conversations to celebrations and everyday moments. Those memories will now become an important way for his loved ones to preserve the person he was and the values he shared with them throughout his life.

Funeral services for Dick will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, August 30, at Columbia Methodist Church, with Bro. Billy Lane McClanahan officiating. His daughter, Katie Meredith Robinson, will deliver the eulogy, providing a personal family perspective during the service. Burial will follow at Columbia Hill Cemetery. Before the funeral, family and friends will have an opportunity to gather during visitation scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, August 29, at Riser & Son Funeral Home.

For those grieving Dick, these gatherings provide more than a formal farewell. They create a space where relatives can stand together, remember stories, and find reassurance in the presence of people who shared a connection with him. A daughter delivering the eulogy also reflects the family-centered nature of his life, giving those gathered an opportunity to hear his story through someone who knew him not simply as a community member, but as a father.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Kelly Baptist Church in Kelly, Louisiana. The request offers friends and relatives a meaningful way to honor Dick while supporting a local church connected to the family’s wishes. As Columbia remembers him, however, his most enduring legacy remains within the family he leaves behind. His wife, children, 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, brothers, and extended family will carry his memory into the years ahead, preserving the love and connections that defined his life.