RICHARD LEE (DONUT) RICHARDSON

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Richard Lee "DONUT" Richardson of Little Rock, Arkansas, received his wings and returned home to be with his mother, Lafay Geneva Neale-Richardson, following a short battle to COVID-19.  He was born January 11, 1960, to Jeremiah and Lafay Neale-Richardson.  He gave his life to Christ at a young age at Bethel A. M. E. Church. 

                Richard was a quiet and gentle soul of few words with a strong presence.  He was a graduate of Little Rock Central High School and was a defensive lineman for the Tigers. It is there that he affectionally became known as “Donut.”  He was an outstanding football player whose only wish was to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks.  Because of his love for the sport, commitment to the game, and although he was not the traditional build for his position, his quickness and strength caught the eye of the infamous Lou Holtz.  As Lou Holtz sat in the living room of our home and talked to Richard about attending the University of Arkansas, it was a dream come true.  He played four years as a noseguard and was a formidable opponent. After an unfortunate knee injury that ended his football career, Richard returned home and completed his studies at Philander Smith College. 

                As always, in someone’s life, there are roadblocks and struggle.  Richard was no exception.  After a battle with addiction, Richard committed his life to help those in recovery.  He recently celebrated 29 years of abstinence from alcohol and illicit drugs. Before his death, he worked for the State of Arkansas, Central Arkansas Community Corrections.  He was hired as a supervisor and became an integral part of their staff.  One of his co-workers shared with me that the Warden stated he did not know that Richard would talk, but he was impressed by his work and work ethic.  Richard did nothing without a firm commitment and a sound decision to complete. 

                When our mother battled leukemia, Richard was her primary caretaker.  He would take her to her doctor appointments, administer medications, flush catheters, prepare her meals.  In his role as caretaker, he never complained, and he fulfilled his role with the utmost love, kindness, and patience. 

                Richard was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Nehemiah Franklin Richardson.  He leaves to mourn his passing his son Jacobi Richardson; four sisters: Diane L. Burl, Jeanette Hammond, Sharon Morrison, and Zora Richardson; his niece, Tomekah Burl; nephews: Jonathan Richardson, Franklin Richardson, Brian Hammond, Mason Richardson, Eric Hammond, Jordan Hammond; niece: Chelsey Richardson, and his youngest niece Zoie Thomas; his aunt Berthal Neale and many other descendants of the Richardson and Thompson-Neale family. Our family acknowledges his friends that knew him and loved him. Kelly Smith Funeral & Cremation Services (8424 Kanis Road * Little Rock * 501-612-5607) will be serving the Richardson, Burl, Hammond, and Morrison families. For more information, send photos/videos/condolences, and light an "In Loving Memory Of" candle www.kellysmithfunerals.com

A CELEBRATION OF RICHARD'S LIFE WILL BE HELD 11:00A.M. ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 25TH  AT LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL'S QUIGLEY STADIUM

SPECIAL NOTES:  (PLEASE READ) AT THIS TIME  DUE TO COVID-19, OUR FLORIST IS ASKING THAT YOU DO NOT ORDER FRUIT BASKETS. FOR ANY FUNERALS. INSTEAD, ORDER FLOWERS OR BLANKETS ONLY. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THANK YOU,  KSFCS.

Click on the "SERVICE DETAILS" button to get updated time and location information. (The Wake, family hour and gathering of family and friends CAN mean all the same in some circumstances, PLEASE read "SERVICE DETAILS" to be correctly informed)  

click on the "TRIBUTE WALL or GUEST BOOK" button to LIGHT A CANDLE and to see all photos, click on a photo to enlarge them. Then click the L or R to see all photos.  

click on "FLOWERS & GIFTS" button SO THAT YOU CAN SEND FLOWERS, GIFTS & FRUIT BASKETS,  

 WE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO CONTINUE TO LIGHT A CANDLE ON THIS MEMORIAL PAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAYS, MONTHS AND YEARS TO COME. ESPECIALLY, DURING DAYS OF SPECIAL EVENTS, ie. BIRTHDAYS, HOLIDAYS, ANNIVERSARY AND THEN ON DAYS WHEN YOU JUST WANT TO SAY SOMETHING TO OR ABOUT YOUR LOVED ONES FOR NO SPECIAL REASON, YOU CAN ALSO SEND PERSONAL MESSAGES, AND UPLOAD PHOTOS ANYTIME. YOU CAN ALSO UPLOAD PHOTOS/VIDEOS OR LIGHT AN "IN LOVING MEMORY OF" CANDLE (DESIGN AND COLORS CAN BE CHANGED) FROM THIS, MEMORIAL PAGE.   

THIS MEMORIAL PAGE WILL REMAIN ON OUR WEBSITE INDEFINITELY. DO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS AND PHOTOS WITH THE FAMILY, THEY WILL APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.    

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of RICHARD LEE (DONUT) RICHARDSON, please visit our floral store.