Ms. Lucy Simmons Richards

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. A part of us went with you, the day God took you home. If tears could build a stairway, and heartaches make a lane, we’d walk our way to heaven, and bring you back again. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still, in our hearts you hold a place no one could ever fill. 

Ms. Lucy Simmons Richards was born September 22, 1949, in Blackville, South Carolina to the late Primus and Leola Bradley Simmons. She was the oldest of six children. Lucy departed this life on October 21, 2021 after battling colon cancer, at home. 

During her formative years, Lucy received her education through the public schools of Barnwell County and was the first African American to graduate from Blackville High School class of 1967. She attended Swainsboro Technical College and graduated from Benedict College in 1971 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. Lucy later attended South Carolina State College where she earned a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling in 1983 and a Master’s Degree in Education in 1985.  

Lucy always had a love for children. She taught at the following schools: Swainsboro Elementary School, Watkins Elementary School, Watkins-Nance Elementary School, and Arden Elementary School.  She never let her students get away with doing the bare minimum, but pushed for all of them to do their very best. Throughout her 45 years as an educator, she instilled in her students a love for learning and passion for success.   

In 1973, Lucy married the love of her life, Roger Richards, Sr. By marriage, she became mother to his two children, Tonga and Roger, Jr, whom she legally adopted. From their union, they were blessed with another daughter, Lekia.  Although Roger and Lucy divorced, they remained friends until her passing. 

Lucy accepted Christ as her Savior as a child. She was baptized as a member of St. Peter's Baptist Church in Elko, South Carolina. She later joined Greater St. James Baptist Church in Swainsboro, Georgia where she sang on the choir. After relocating to Columbia, South Carolina, Lucy was an active member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. She served as a faithful Sunday School teacher, superintendent and Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, Missionary, and a dedicated nursery worker. 

In addition to her parents, Lucy was preceded in death by her sister, Ella Dell Bellinger; and two brothers, O’Gonnar Cheyenne Simmons, and Primus Phillip Simmons III. 

Lucy leaves to cherish her memory, her three children, Tonga (Brandon, Sr.) Richards Hawkins, Roger Richards, Jr. and Lekia Richards; ten grandchildren, Nadario, Roger, III, Cordarius, Tyasha, Taleah, Brandon, Jr., Rajiah, Chandler, Prem, and Ellyciah; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Mactell (Willie Ann) Simmons and Oliver (Patricia) Simmons; two adopted brothers, Norman Miley and Rev. James Miley; one nephew, whom she raised, Reginald (Valorie) Simmons; one great-niece, whom she raised, Kimberly Simmons; friend and father of her children, Roger Richards, Sr.; two special friends, Gloria Garmany and Annie Simmons; and a host of loving relatives and friends. 

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