On Friday, July 17, 2026, Angels were sent to welcome home, Anthony Russell Lively, Sr., better known as "Tony," by his family and friends.

Tony was born on August 1, 1956, to the late James R. Lively and Pearly Parham Lively.  He was preceded in death by his son, Anthony Russell "T.J." Lively, Jr.; and his half-brother, Walter Richard Lively, Sr.

Tony attended school in Chesterfield County, Virginia, graduating from Thomas Dale High School.  He continued his education at Virginia State College and Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Tony retired from E.I. Dupont after 36 years of service where he developed lasting friendships with co-workers, their spouses, and friends.

Tony was an avid Buffalo Bills fan. He loved traveling and was a food connoisseur.  Tony also loved attending Jazz Festivals.  Tony had a love for all types of music.  In his younger days he and his best friend, Skeet had a successful DJ business called, Sky Brothers.

Tony was a fisherman at heart. He would fish everyday all day if he could.  He loved to go saltwater fishing with his wife and friends.

Tony has left to cherish his loving memories: his wife, Dolly (they met September 7, 1974, and had been inseparable for 52 years); a dear friend of the family, Anthony Clark, Sr. (whom Tony referred to as his little brother.); mother-in-law, Otelia Evans; aunts, Viola Fisher, Shirley Wright, Magnolia Byrd, Cornell Wilkins, Sarah Hines, Linnie Wingfield (Charles) and Vera Yates (Cleaver); uncles, James Evans, Henry Evans, and Robert Earl Rollins (Tina); surrogate mother, Reginia Jefferson; dear friends, Reverend & Mrs. Charles Sumpter, Deacon and Deaconess, James and Faye Delph, Kenny and Robinette Hatch, Marvin and Gloria Bailey, William and Betty Rives, Stanley and Dee Taylor, Marvin and Linnie Moses, Neil and Ellen Kleiber, Rudy and Mildred Brown, Brenda Lee, Vanessa Briggs, Charmaine Jordan and Dorrine Spencer; goddaughter, Genee Briggs; godson, Earl D. Furlow (Kyndra); sisters-in-law, Audrey Evans, Elsie Epps and Gloria Rice; brothers-in-law, Stefan Mayfield (Julia), Richard Evans, Keith Evans and Tony Evans; three devoted friends, Russell "Skeet" West, Jr. (Faye) and Larry Robinson (Sandra-deceased) whom Tony referred to as his Big Brother and Dee Harris; our dear friends and vacationing companions, Joseph and Vanessa Harrison; devoted neighborhood and childhood friends, Terry Webster, Nathan Childress, Anthony West, Reverend Ralph Friend, Stewart Hancock, Bruce Friend, Reverend Dr. Steve Hewlett, John Baker, Larry "Rayor" Webster, Foster West, Ronnie Allen, Moose Wiggins, Frankie Allen, Bill Webster, Eric "Chubby" Smith, Richard Wyatt, Embry Sims, Allan Swan, Barney West, Buck Jefferson, Charles Pergerson; Bert Boisseau, Edward "Scooner" Henderson, Michael Henderson, and Dwight Parham.

One of the highlights of Tony's retirement was breakfast with his retiree buddies, Kenny Hatch, Marvin Bailey, Tyrone Anderson, Milton Bailey, Matt Haas, George Williams, Rene Lightner, Donald Robinson and Dorsey Wade; devoted neighbors, Donnie and Sue Osterbind and Dewayne and Kayla Rogers. Special thank you to his barbers, Eric "E" and Ralph.

After Tony's allergic medication reaction, his uphill battle had become demoralized at times. A very special thank you to Ms. Evelyn M. Cason, Nurse Practitioner, for helping him navigate through his illness. Ms. Cason, I will be forever indebted to you.

A very special thank you to Chesterfield's County Officer Towel and EMT's who responded to my home on July 17th, I am so incredibly grateful for the tireless, compassionate, and heroic efforts you made to save my husband. Even though the outcome wasn't what we prayed for, your hard work gave me peace knowing absolutely everything was done for him.

Tony had a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, devoted, Carolyn Fisher, Gladys Miller, Beatrice Fulow, Reverend Alma Coles Charles, Thurlamae Coles, Rhonda Goins (Charles), Russell Lee Parham (Bonnie), David L. Alexander (Carrie), Vincent Mayfield (Iris), Stephanie Stith (Craig), Margaret Rollins and Verdonna Lively.

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 27, 2026, in the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Ralph Friend, eulogist and Rev. Charles E. Sumpter, Jr., officiant. The interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

The family request that all food and beverage items be omitted.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/6075765?fl=so&fe=fs