Bessie Coleman Richard

Bessie Coleman Richard was born in Blair, South Carolina on April 14, 1929, to the late Isaac Coleman and Mattie Mae Woodard Coleman.  On May 11, 2023, she heeded the Master's call and entered into eternal rest at the age of 94 at Pruitt Health Blythewood.

She attended Hassion Hill School.  She joined the Old Hope Station Baptist Church at an early age and after marriage to Charlie, she moved her membership to St. Peter Community Church.  She loved her church family and her pastor.

Her hobbies included shopping (especially for hats), growing flowers and traveling. She visited Hawaii, Alaska, Virgin Islands, etc. and she has been on approximately ten cruises.  She enjoyed going to gospel programs, revivals and Rainbow Teas.  She was employed at Louis Rich in Newberry for five years. But most of all she loved the Lord and spent a lot of time reading her Bible and praying.

In addition to her parents, she preceded in death by her husband (Charlie), sons (Joseph and Charlie Jr.) four sisters (Mary, Callie, Daisy Bell and Azalee), and one brother (Joe).

Bessie leaves to cherish her loving memories, four daughters, Hattie V. Sutton and Bessie Mae Richard, Columbia, SC, Martha A. Foote and Florence M. Richard, Jenkinsville, SC; three sons, Rufus L. Richard, Florence, SC, David G. Richard, Columbia SC, Kenneth A (Tawanda) Richard, Blair, SC, one sister, Betty A. Crosby,  Blair, SC, one brother James Coleman, Concord, NC; grandchildren, Sharonda L. Sutton, Russell A. Sutton, Terrance W. Sutton, Jasmine S. Carter, Chandra M. Richard, Olivia S. Sanders, Malia G. Richard, Sabrina Collins, twelve great grandchildren, nineteen great great grandchildren,,  a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and a special and exceptional friend Jean Yarborough.  

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