Reverend Dr. George W. C. Richardson Jr., a resident of Montgomery, AL expired July 9, 2020. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 17, 2020 at 11: 00 a.m. from Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. Interment in Alabama Heritage Cemetery.

Dr. G. W. C. Richardson, Jr. was born in Geiger, Alabama, (Sumter County), to George and Louise Richardson. He later moved to Gordo, Alabama where he attended and graduated from the Pickens County School System. He began preaching at the age of four in Gordo, and was licensed at the age of twelve. At the age of sixteen he began pastoring several small country churches throughout Alabama.

To better prepare himself for the Gospel Ministry, Dr. Richardson attended the following colleges and universities receiving various degrees such as Selma University; BA Degree and an ETA from Southeastern Bible College; Bachelor of Theology (B. Th.) from Sunshine Bible College; Masters of Divinity (M. Div.) from Interdenominational Theological Institute; Masters in Religious Education (M. Re) from Sunshine Bible College; Doctor of Divinity from New Era Seminary, Detroit, MI; Doctor of Humane Letters from Faith Grant College; Existential Degree from Southeastern Bible College and L.C.U. Degree from Insurance Underwriters, Birmingham. Further studies include: Temple University, Chattanooga, TN; Sanford University, SCBC Bible College, Alabama Christian College, University Bible Institute, Bainbridge, GA, and Interdenominational Theological Institute.

He has preached throughout the United States spreading the Gospel. He conducted workshops, seminars, revivals and special preaching engagements which, afforded him an opportunity to meet kings, princes, presidents and dignitaries from other countries.

Dr. Richardson gave of himself to more than the Church; he also gave to the Community. He was a member of several Civic Boards and Committees, both locally and nationally. SCLC, NAACP, Montgomery Improvement Association, Future Leaders of Montgomery County, Board of Star Management, Inc., President/CEO of SCOM’S Ministry; Chairman of the Board of the Survivor’s Prison Ministry, the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Advisory Council, Bd. Member of the Covenant Family Ministries, Inc.

Historically, Dr. Richardson’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement extended back many years. He belonged to an organization known as A Friendly Brethren’s which was headed by Dr. Reese who served as President. There were five members of this organization who were at the forefront and the beginning of the Selma Movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the SCLC were sent in to support and later took over the Selma Movement.

He took part in all of the mass meetings in Selma and most of the marches and demonstrations, including Bloody Sunday. The beginning of A Bloody Sunday was the first march in an attempt to go across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. He was instrumental in the integration of the University of Montevallo which, at that time, was called Montevallo College.

In 1967, he moved to Bessemer, Alabama and was the first Black to campaign for a major political office by running for the Office of Mayor against a longtime incumbent, Jess Lanier. This campaign was a success in that it began to open doors of opportunities which later led to winning the race for a Black Mayor along with the appointments of other Blacks to leadership positions in Bessemer. His entire life, somehow, was surrounded by the Civil Rights and Human Rights Movements and their struggles for the betterment of mankind.

He served as Pastor to the following churches: Maggie Branch Baptist, Gosport; Union Baptist, Marion; Shiloh Baptist, Montevallo; and Mt. Hebron Baptist, Bessemer. He became the Pastor of Hutchinson Missionary Baptist Church in 1979 and retired after 39 years of service in 2018. Over 100 ‘Sons and Daughters of Hutchinson’ received their calling and were licensed and ordained under his pastorage. One of his favorite past times was fishing and his later years rabbit farming.

He is survived by his dedicated, devoted, and loving wife of 56 years; Robbye J. Richardson, three loving children, Pastor E. Steven Richardson (Melanie) of Dothan, AL; Georginna Richardson-Alexander (George) and Robert Richardson both of Montgomery, AL. One Godson; Irven ‘Wayne’ (Gaytrise) Richardson of Montgomery, AL. Six grandchildren; Erica, Steven, Irven, Iven, Tiara, and Harmony, two extended grandchildren; Summer and Joshua, and twelve great-grandchildren. Nine siblings, Georgia Lee (Late Frank Thomas) of Meridian, MS; Rev. Arthur (Dorothy) Richardson of Tuscaloosa, AL; Fannie (Henry) Stewart of Gordo, AL; Laura (Luckner) Augustin of Montgomery, AL; Evangelist Dorothy (Late Samuel) Sexton of Jamaica Queens, NY; Thelma (Rev. Dr. C.L.) Gary of Tuscaloosa, AL; Joe Donald (Ann) Richardson of Gordo, AL; Larry (Lenny) Richardson of Columbia, S.C.; and Sharon (Rev. Angelo) McDaniel of Houston, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Special friends: the late Pastor J.H. Summerville, the late Rev. James E. Hardy, the late Pastor Nim Russell, Pastor Walter Ellis, Pastor Tommie Lewis, Pastor Cleveland McFarland, Dr. Allen and Dr. Tonea ‘Tommie’ Stewart, and Rev. Wendell Wiggins. Special mentees: Pastor Leroy Parker, Rev. Bryan Williams, Pastor Jeremy Turner, Pastor Solomon Killerbrew, Rev. Barry Fencher, Pastor Freeman Ray, Rev. Johnny Raines, Rev. Debra Tucker, Ministress Shannon Hendricks, Pastor Jamal Browder, and the late Rev. Larry D. Williams.