Anthony Foster Richardson

Mr. Anthony Foster Richardson, age 74 of Sanford NC, transitioned into eternal rest on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Anthony “Big Rich” Foster Richardson was born May 16, 1947, in Sanford, NC to Jasper and Christine Richardson. He departed this life on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Anthony was preceded in death by his parents, Jasper and Christine Richardson, brother Rufus Grey Richardson, and eldest son, Willie Tyryan Richardson. Anthony graduated from W. B. Wicker in 1965 and went on to attend North Carolina Central University. On January 1 st, 1971 he married Delois McKoy and from that union, three sons were born. With a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his lips, he’d tell everyone “Lois has just what I need”; they were two peas in a pod. They spent the first few years of their marriage in Philadelphia, PA but eventually made Sanford their home.
Anthony loved the beach and visited a few times a year to spend quality time with his sons fishing and celebrating the 4th of July with his family and his special uncle William Newton. In 1977 Anthony dedicated his life to Christ and never looked back. He was a faithful, and humble servant at The Church of God in Christ Jesus in Johnsonville, NC where he served as a Deacon for many years. Anthony worked for several years for Carolina Power and Light Company and Siemens before later gaining employment with Lee County and retiring from Lee County Public Works in 2012. Through his work, he made several friends and made a positive influence on many of the inmates that he supervised. Anthony was a big man with an even bigger heart. He had a way of making everyone feel comfortable and right at home. Just when you were set at ease, he would make you laugh because he had jokes for days. There were two surefire ways to win “Big A” over, give him something good to eat or make him laugh. There are few if any, that did not love him from the first time you met him and he became “Uncle Anthony”, “Pop”, or “Granddad” to so many of his children’s friends, community youth, and church family. He worked very hard to ensure that his family knew he loved them, in words and service. Often times when the boys were home, he would stay up into the wee hours of the morning watching tv and shooting the gift until Lois would yell “AntNeeee! Come to bed!” He had three things
for us to do: love God, work hard, treat people right. When you heard the words “Now listen Sport” you know that there was a story coming or some words of wisdom that could be beneficial. It could be anything from life in Sanford in the old days, to family history, or even a lesson on how to treat others. Anthony was a font of knowledge and a great orator that shared such great wisdom. He loved telling stories and having passionate discussions and debates about Tarheel basketball and the Pittsburgh Steelers but most of all he loved the Lord. Many of the stories were a perfect mix of history, humor, and life lessons. He leaves to cherish his memory: wife Delois; sons Brian (Marcia) of Fuquay-Varina and Kelly (Ayesha) of Greensboro; grandchildren Taqqee, MarYahna, Nasya, and Brayla Richardson; one aunt, Patricia Newton of Myrtle Beach, SC; sisters in law Willie Mae (Robert) Harrington, Reatha McCrimmon; Wentsel (Waymon); Janice (Lester); god-daughter Michelle Page; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. The legacy of Anthony can be summed up with a few verses from Bible

Romans 12:1-2

1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Proverbs 17:22 (KJV)

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: But a broken spirit drieth the bones.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (KJV)

And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

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