Rodney D Richardson, Sr.

Rodney Dewey Richardson Sr.

October 19, 1936 – January 2, 2021

On January 2, 2021, my father Rodney Dewey Richardson Sr. went on to be with the Lord at the young age of 84. My father was known by many as a gentle giant, standing at 6 foot 5, 290 lbs.  In my eyes and of my siblings, he was a giant of a man always feeling protected by his presence.  As a single father of 4, raising infant children, my father never complained of the hardship of being a single parent, and always made sure we were well taken care of, educated in Christian schools and taught the hard lessons of life with his thick belt of discipline and refinement. Born in New Orleans Louisiana, my father grew up raising strawberries with his father until moving to Metairie, Louisiana in the late 1940’s. He graduated from St Francis Xavier Catholic School along with his younger brothers and went on to graduate with his college degree in business. After college, he served 8 years with the National Guard, then entered the business world of insurance.  Recognized over the 40 plus years of his career as one of the state’s top salesman, he won several national awards as well.  He was a great provider and took time for his children along the way. Having several failed marriages over the years, my father finally found his destined soulmate later in life in his wife Pansy.  The two were a match made in heaven and you would rarely see one without the other.  Their marriage thrived over 21 years until his passing.  Along their journey together, I witnessed many lessons of love, compassion and humility and a nice healthy argument or two as well. My father was not a man without sin or indiscretions, but I witnessed a man who truly repented and humbled himself before God and loved many, turning many to Christ through his stories of God’s love, forgiveness and mercy on him.  The bible states, that those who are forgiven much, love much. For those who knew him, when asked how he was doing, he would always state “One day at a time Sweet Jesus”.  My father’s love and compassion were deep for others as he provided several homeless veterans rent free housing for years until their passing, then taking care of their burial arrangements at his expense.  He was a very generous man and had compassion on many. Over the years he was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA, Parkview Baptist, Baton Rouge, LA, Harding Baptist, Baker Louisiana, Baker First United Methodist Church, Baker, LA In closing, I am thankful and feel God answered my prayers by taking my father at this time.  I prayed years ago, that the Lord would take my father home right before the tribulation of earth started.  I personally believe this ole world is rolling downhill, and the end of all things is near.  It is clear and evident if you have spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear.  I Thank God for answering my prayer and felt a deep since of peace as my father was leaving his clay shell behind to enter into the glorious presence of God. He is survived by his wife Pansy Richardson of Baker, LA, Daughter DonnaJo Richardson Pensacola, FL, Son Rodney Dewey Richardson Jr. Texarkana, TX and fiancé Patti Miles Ogden.  Dennis Ray Richardson and wife Tina Denham Springs, LA, Daughter Holly Richardson Portland OR, Stepson Lee Knippers Baker, LA, Grandsons Joshua Michael Richardson of Broussard LA, Hollis Michael McMillin Jonesville, LA Devin Ray Richardson Denham Springs, LA, Granddaughters SamanthaJo McMillin Pensacola, FL, Brittany Daniel Richardson Pensacola, FL, Amanda Knippers Walker, LA Megan Knippers of Baker, LA, Great Grandson Mason Ellis Walker, LA. Great Granddaughter Hannah Nettles Baker, LA LyannaJo McMillin Pensacola, FL He is proceeded in death by his father Dewey John Richardson Springfield, LA, Mother Mamie Decklemann Richardson Metairie, LA, Brother Warren Richardson Metairie, LA Elwood Richardson New Orleans, LA Great Grandson Conner Nettles. Visitation will be Saturday January 9^th at Seales Funeral home from 8-10 am at 1720 S Range Ave, Denham Springs, LA with graveside service following at Carter Cemetery in Springfield, LA. Officiating will be Pastor Richie Fortenberry. Pallbearers: Dewey Richardson, Dennis Richardson, Lee Knippers, Devin Richardson, Lance Weinman, Bryan Davis. “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”. 2 Corinthians 5:1-9

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