Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mrs. Sandra Arlene Ford Richardson, quietly passed away from cancer on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Her battle was short but mighty.

Sandra, the eldest of eleven children, was born to Mary Arlene Scruggs Ford and the late Essie Claude Ford in Niagara Falls, NY in August of 1948. Sandra grew up in West Virginia and was young when she met the love of her life Clinton Hayes Richardson Jr. They went on to have four children, two would precede her in death.

Sandra’s joys were easy to recognize, her family was her pride and joy. Sandra and Clint accomplished forty-three years of marriage before his passing in 2012. She showed her adoration of family by cooking and caring for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step-grandchildren. Sandra was also known for caring for the elderly and ministering to friends and loved ones through phone calls and visitation. She is a member of the Pentecostal faith for over forty years. Along with her knowledge of God’s Word and ability to encourage strong faith, she was well-known in church circles for her ability to cook some of the best meals on earth.

Sandra had many talents such as cooking, sewing, braiding hair, home decorating, and everyone who knew her had the opportunity to share in her medical knowledge.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Clinton; father, Essie; daughter, Sandra; son, Kenyamu; brother, James; nephew, Jimmy, and precious sister-in-law, Susan Hairston, as well as her maternal and paternal grandparents.

Left behind to cherish her memory are her precious mother, Mary A Ford of Handley, WV; son, Clinton Richardson (Lisa) of Mt. Hope, WV; daughter, Wyetha Prevost (Marvin) of Columbia SC; brothers, Essie Ford (Regina) of Handley, WV, Delvin Ford (Kim) of Murrells Inlet, SC, Dwight Ford and Dewayne Ford, both of Charleston, WV, sisters, Gail Ford of Farmington Hills, MI, Brenda Ford of Detroit, MI, Pamela Burns (Clyde) of Charleston, WV, Patricia Powell and Cherrie Ford, both of Handley, WV; thirteen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Sandra, also known as mom and NaNa, will be remembered for famous family Sunday dinners, her wisdom and perseverance, and her ability to draw people together. She is and will continue to be missed.

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Faith Tabernacle Church Fayetteville, WV with Rev. Essie Ford and Dr. Marvin Prevost officiating. Burial will follow in Meadow Haven Memorial Park, Ingram Branch.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may view one hour prior to the service.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.