Dr. Charles Richards
May 9, 1932 — January 7, 2015
Dr. Charles Richards grew up in North Georgia and graduated from Davis High School before joining the Air Force.
After proudly serving his country in the Air Force during the Korean War, he came home to Georgia. His niece would soon introduce him to the love of his life who would become his wife of the next sixty plus years.
Charles soon felt God leading him into the ministry, following in the footsteps of his brother, father, and grandfather before him. He began his career as a Pastor in 1961 and served in several small churches in Northeast Alabama.
By 1967, with his wife and three children, (ages twelve, ten, and two at the time) the family moved to Mobile, Alabama, where Charles pastored a church full-time and received his Bachelor's Degree from Mobile College (now the University of Mobile).
After relocating to Chattanooga to pastor a church, the beginnings of a second career were on the horizon. Dr. Richards' work with inner-city youth in Chattanooga through the neighborhood youth core to prepare for their GED tests stirred his passion for teaching and his love of people and wanting to see them reach their full potential.
After receiving his Master's Degree from Samford in Birmingham, Alabama, and a Doctorate in Theology from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida, he spent the next thirty years as an adjunct professor at colleges in Alabama, including Northwest Community College, Calhoun Community College, and Heritage Bible College .
Charles retired at 69, but his retirement was short-lived. He began a seven-year stint as a Director of Missions in Lincoln County, Tennessee. His love of mission work had grown out of trips to Guatemala and Alaska earlier in his ministry. Well into his 70's he was leading mission trips to Montana and other areas in the Northwest.
At 76, after his second retirement, a dream of many years was fulfilled when he published his book, Even So, Come Lord Jesus. During his final years, Charles was asked to speak at many places. He was able to share from his book, and use it as a guide for his teachings during this time.
After his health would not permit, he shared his faith with the nurses and staff at the long-term care facility where he spent his final days.
Dr. Charles Richards is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Hazel Green, Alabama, and his long-time beloved cat, Missy. He is also survived by his children, Joan Benton (Jim) of Franklin, TN; Mike Richards (Becky) of Chattanooga, TN; and Susan Jacobs (Gregg) of Fayetteville, GA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Chris (Allie) Benton, Hannah Richards, and Savannah Benton; and his step grandchildren, Thomas (Elysia) Jacobs, James Jacobs, and Kyle Jacobs; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Saturday from 12 Noon until 3pm at the First Baptist Church of Hazel Green. Funeral services will follow at 3pm with Dr. Ken Fields and Rev. Billy Taylor officiating.
Graveside services will be held on Sunday at 2pm eastern time at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Bremen, Georgia with Rev. Billy Dempsey officiating. Please see below for addresses, maps, and directions.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice Family Care ( www.hospicefamilycare.org ; 3304 Westmill Road; Huntsville, AL 35805) or to The Alzheimer's Association ( www.alz.org ; 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17; Chicago, IL 60601-7633)
After proudly serving his country in the Air Force during the Korean War, he came home to Georgia. His niece would soon introduce him to the love of his life who would become his wife of the next sixty plus years.
Charles soon felt God leading him into the ministry, following in the footsteps of his brother, father, and grandfather before him. He began his career as a Pastor in 1961 and served in several small churches in Northeast Alabama.
By 1967, with his wife and three children, (ages twelve, ten, and two at the time) the family moved to Mobile, Alabama, where Charles pastored a church full-time and received his Bachelor's Degree from Mobile College (now the University of Mobile).
After relocating to Chattanooga to pastor a church, the beginnings of a second career were on the horizon. Dr. Richards' work with inner-city youth in Chattanooga through the neighborhood youth core to prepare for their GED tests stirred his passion for teaching and his love of people and wanting to see them reach their full potential.
After receiving his Master's Degree from Samford in Birmingham, Alabama, and a Doctorate in Theology from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida, he spent the next thirty years as an adjunct professor at colleges in Alabama, including Northwest Community College, Calhoun Community College, and Heritage Bible College .
Charles retired at 69, but his retirement was short-lived. He began a seven-year stint as a Director of Missions in Lincoln County, Tennessee. His love of mission work had grown out of trips to Guatemala and Alaska earlier in his ministry. Well into his 70's he was leading mission trips to Montana and other areas in the Northwest.
At 76, after his second retirement, a dream of many years was fulfilled when he published his book, Even So, Come Lord Jesus. During his final years, Charles was asked to speak at many places. He was able to share from his book, and use it as a guide for his teachings during this time.
After his health would not permit, he shared his faith with the nurses and staff at the long-term care facility where he spent his final days.
Dr. Charles Richards is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Hazel Green, Alabama, and his long-time beloved cat, Missy. He is also survived by his children, Joan Benton (Jim) of Franklin, TN; Mike Richards (Becky) of Chattanooga, TN; and Susan Jacobs (Gregg) of Fayetteville, GA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Chris (Allie) Benton, Hannah Richards, and Savannah Benton; and his step grandchildren, Thomas (Elysia) Jacobs, James Jacobs, and Kyle Jacobs; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Saturday from 12 Noon until 3pm at the First Baptist Church of Hazel Green. Funeral services will follow at 3pm with Dr. Ken Fields and Rev. Billy Taylor officiating.
Graveside services will be held on Sunday at 2pm eastern time at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Bremen, Georgia with Rev. Billy Dempsey officiating. Please see below for addresses, maps, and directions.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice Family Care ( www.hospicefamilycare.org ; 3304 Westmill Road; Huntsville, AL 35805) or to The Alzheimer's Association ( www.alz.org ; 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17; Chicago, IL 60601-7633)
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