August Moon

August Moon, born on August 7, 1937, joined the ancestors on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Moon is preceded in death by his parents Freddie Price and Gladys Randolph Crawley (Samuel), grandparents James and Mary “Big Sis” Staples Gundy, great grandparents William and Nannie Staples, siblings Gerlean “Rennie” Anderson (David) and Ulysses Randolph, daughter Daisy Foxx, and great nephew Lundon Anderson. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Dr. Michon Johnson Moon, who is mother to his two youngest daughters, Enjoli Jaudon Moon and Dr. Sesha Joi Moon (Janice), as well as his grandson and additional caregiver, Jonah Hodari. He is also survived by his devoted children Cheryle Randolph-Sharpe (Tim), Lorenzo Buttram-Hubbard, Alfonso Smith (Carolyn), Sidell Britton Cook (Antonio), Rochelle Britton Allen (Franklin), and Tiffany Diamond, as well as Tiwanda Randolph and Ryan Selvester whom he loved as bonus children. With great pride, he leaves behind a legacy of grandchildren and great grandchildren to include Dion, Corey, and Chelsea (Rada) who he helped to raise in Richmond, as well as Jayla, De’Shana, Devon, Quiana, Amari, Latisa, Antoine, Soroya (“Shiny Shoes”), Dionna, Morrelle, Sherwane, Jarrelle, Zarrelle, Ryan, Aaireanno, and Myles. He was one of five siblings and is survived by Raymond Randolph and Viola Sturdivant (Robert), as well as his sister-in law Grace Randolph. He too is survived by a host of nieces and nephews to include Cassaundra Anderson James (Tyrone), David Anderson III, Rae Barney, Sheldon Hearn, Anjanette Randolph Pearson, Ulysses Randolph Jr, Nicolle Parsons-Pollard (Donald), and Eric Parsons who affectionately knew him as “Uncle Red”.

Moon, born Alexander Randolph in Blackwell during the Great Depression in the Jim Crow Era, was a fierce advocate for social justice. Throughout his life, he remained committed to his community in the Southside and he became affectionately known as the “Mayor of Hull Street”. As a devout Christian, he understood the importance of service as demonstrated by his membership in the U.S. Navy, Crusade for Voters, Hull Street Merchants Association, Rainbow Coalition, United Struggle Movement, and Stop The Violence Campaign.

Moon also enjoyed success as an entrepreneur and entertainer – releasing albums as “Mr. Wiggles”, operating recording studios and record labels such as Sound of Soul, Urban Beat and Golden Triangle, owning venues such as Soul on Ice, Taste of Honey and Mr. Wiggles Restaurant best known for the “Wiggle Burger”, and producing hits such as “Seven Minutes of Funk” with The Whole Darn Family, which is one of the most sampled songs in hip hop music. He also hosted a radio show and public-access television show called “Tell It Like It Is” where he often reminded viewers that if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

As a lover of hats, Moon wore many, as expressed through his many monikers, which also included “Little Red”, “Dickie Diamond”, "Chief Comrade", and “Mouth of the South”. He lived his life fully and his family finds peace in knowing that his rest was well-earned. His family appreciates the outpouring of love and support as they’ve been comforted to see that he was beloved by many in Richmond and beyond. He will be remembered as a loving and committed son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, friend, mentor, dog lover of his adored poodle “Fluffy” and grandpup “Benji” – and so much more.

He was surrounded by many other loving family members, friends, colleagues, and mentees, such as Doretha Fowlkes, Roland (Deceased) and Bernice “Epie” Chavis (Deceased), Dr. Harold Green, Fmr. Gov. Douglas L. Wilder, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rep. Jonathan Jackson, Sen. Tim Kaine, Sen. Mark Warner, Fmr. Council Member Chuck Richardson, Fmr. Chief of Police Jerry Oliver, Dr. Lois Harrison Jones-Fears, Fmr. City Manager Robert C. Bobb, Alison Baker, Neverett Eggleston Jr, Neverett Eggleston III, Ray Boone (Deceased) and Family, Linwood Austin, Robert “Bigalow” Taylor (Deceased), Preston Brown, Rudy Brooks (Deceased), Joseph Carter (Deceased), Duke Ebron, Roderick Jones, Charles Mann, Martinez Kelly, Eric Foss, Charles “Lump” Willis, Danyiel “Rockwell” Willis, John Mitchell, “Brother Tom”, Leroy “Karamel” Wilkins Jr, Derrick “Freak” Speakes, “T-Man”, “Southside Jack”, Edward Pitt, Sherman Lee, Kenny Crockett, Stori Armani, Carolyn McLemore, Mike Pearson, Vernon and Wanda Pope, William and Wanda McGee, Joshua Hodari, Jeremiah “Remi” Gilliam, and “My Girl Naomi”. On behalf of the family, we would like to give a special thank you to the numerous healthcare providers and professional aids who helped to care for him during his time of need. His loved ones were lucky to have had him for 85 years, and now, as he joins the ancestors, they trust that his legacy will live on through them all.

The family would ask that any floral arrangements please be sent to the attention of the funeral home and as a staunch music lover, they would also welcome donations to a Historically Black College and University on his behalf through the George Ernest Johnson Endowed Music Scholarship Fund at Virginia State University in loving memory of his father-in-law.

Friday, July 28: Viewing (9am-5pm) and Wake (5pm-7pm) at Mimms Funeral Home (1827 Hull Street)

Saturday, July 29: Viewing (11am-12pm) and Service (12pm-2pm) at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church South (700 E Belt Blvd), Internment (3pm-3:30pm) at Maury Street Cemetery (2700 Maury Street)

For more information, please visit http://www.mimmsfuneralhome.com and www.vsu.edu/foundation.