Russell Edward Nash

Russell Edward Nash, Jr., 97, passed away at Dogwood Village, Orange, on August 21, 2026. He was born on July 8, 1929, in Radiant to the late Russell Edward Nash, Sr. and Mary Carpenter Nash. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Barbara Deane Nash, sister Anne Nash Faulconer, and two beloved nieces, Jeanne Faulconer Courtney and Diane Lynn Faulconer. A 1947 graduate of Madison County High School, Russell was a proud member of the baseball team, honing his skills as a catcher. He continued playing on regional teams through the mid-1950s. His love of baseball extended to coaching the Radiant Raiders Little League Team and helping re-establish the Madison Blue Jays of the Valley League, serving as Treasurer for over a decade. Russell worked as a cost estimator at Virginia Metal Products for 42 years, where he was known for his mathematical abilities. A 1961 Richmond Times Dispatch article described him as “a man with a mathematical mind (who) can multiply and divide almost any combination of figures in his head in the time it takes most people to remember their own names.”After retirement, he was devoted to the large family garden, planting 14 rows of Silver Queen corn every year. He was a Deacon at Good Hope Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and served on a variety of committees. He and Barbara were poll workers at the Etlan Precinct for many years, driving across the county from Burnt Tree in the early morning hours. He is survived by son Thomas Nash (Pam) of Madison, daughter Carole Nash (John Eckman) of Harrisonburg, and stepchildren Janice Hoffman of Orange and Donald Deane (Brenda) of Ruckersville. Three grandchildren, Stephen Nash (Rachael), Candia Morris (Spencer), Hubert Bare (Crystal), nine great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren also survive. Special thanks go to the highly skilled caregivers at Dogwood Village and Trinity Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations in Russell’s memory be made to Madison Parks and Recreation Hoover Ridge, Inc., to support youth sports programs (https://www.hooverridge.com/donate.html). A family night will be held at Preddy Funeral Home Madison Chapel, on Monday, August 24, 5-7 p.m. A graveside service will take place at Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, Radiant, on Tuesday, August 25 at 11 a.m. On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.preddyfuneralhomes.com