Earl Richards

Earl Sanford Richards, 88, of Kingsport went to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 13, 2017 at his residence surrounded by his family. Mr. Richards was born in Granite Falls, NC and moved with his family to Blountville, TN at an early age. He spent 22 years with Mead Paper as a welder. He was a contractor for a period of time building several homes in the area and retired from Dempsters in Knoxville, TN. Mr. Richards was an active member and a Deacon at Bloomingdale Baptist Church. He also volunteered in prison ministries and the meals-on-wheels program. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary; his parents, James and Luella Richards; his sister and brother in-law, Louise and Rudi Sommer; his brother, Plez Richards; and his brother and sister in-law, Harold "Buck" and Barbara Richards. His survivors include daughter, Donna Buck (Howard) of Kingsport; daughter, Cindy Wade (Mike) of Grant, AL; son, E. Sandy Richards (Teresa) of Hiltons, VA; five grandchildren Ginger Nixon (Chad), Nick Wade (Kelli), Travis Smith (Stephanie), Tyler Smith, and Clara Morrell (Ryan); five great grandchildren Reegan, Addison Rose, Brayden, Hannah, and Riley; sister in-law Mrs. Bobbie Richards; and special friend Wilma Hicks. A private graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at East Lawn Memorial Park, Kingsport, TN. A memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Bloomingdale Baptist Church, 3220 Bloomingdale Pike, Kingsport, TN 37660 with Pastor Phil Whittemore, officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bloomingdale Baptist Church, 3220 Bloomingdale Road, Kingsport, TN 37660 in Mr. Richards memory. Carter Trent Funeral Home, Downtown Kingsport is serving the Richards Family.