Henry Lambert Richards

  Henry Richards was born on April 6, 1922, in Newark, Maryland (Eastern Shore), to the late Lambert and Della Richards. The youngest of nine children, Henry’s life began with both love and loss—his mother, Della, tragically passed away during his birth. One of her final requests was, “Take care of my baby.” True to her wishes, Henry was lovingly raised by his older sister, Thelma, with whom he shared a lifelong bond. 

Henry often reminisced about his time in Newark with great fondness. Though his childhood was marked by simplicity, it was rich in family and togetherness. He was raised by his father, Lambert, who worked as a sharecropper and fireman for the Mason Tomato Factory in Newark. Despite the challenges of raising nine children as a single parent, Lambert instilled in Henry the values of hard work and perseverance. From a young age, Henry exhibited an ambitious spirit, and he used his earnings from shining shoes and carrying firewood to purchase clothes and other necessities.

At 14, Henry and Thelma moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where they gradually adjusted to city life. Henry, affectionately known as "Roebuck" (after Sears & Roebuck) for his business tenacity, began to develop a strong work ethic that would define his life.

In the 1940s, Henry moved to Philadelphia, where he worked at the Navy Shipyard and the Franklin Sugar Refinery. Before relocating to Florida, he also served as a personal driver for the Ambassador of China in Washington, D.C..

During the 1950s, Henry valiantly engaged in the growing civil rights movement and made a remarkable impact in the fight for equality by playing a key role in desegregating a park in Miami.

In 1952, Henry married his cherished sweetheart, the late Esther Marie Ross. A decade later, their bond blossomed with the joyful arrival of their only child, Cynthia Rosita Richards, who brought endless delight to their lives.

In the 1960s, Henry returned to Philadelphia, where he established roots that would last a lifetime. During his 50-plus-year career as a business owner, Henry successfully managed and operated various ventures in real estate, retail, and general contracting (specializing in interior and exterior decorating).

In the 1970s, Henry opened a hardware store in the heart of West Philadelphia. It was more than just a store; it was a memorable experience. Customers traveled from near and far to discover what the excitement was all about, often greeted by the store's mascot, Adam, a macaque monkey! Henry's love for plants, nature, and wildlife was evident in every corner of that unique store. Henry passionately believed that God had blessed him to be a blessing to others. 

His success fueled his eagerness to mentor other family members by offering them jobs and teaching them his craft. Moreover, Henry had a remarkable knack for seeing the potential in something and then applying his Midas touch to make it shine. It was with this God-given talent that Henry was able to transform multiple properties, residential and commercial, over the years. The labor of love with remodeling his first house in West Philadelphia garnered Henry recognition from Better Homes and Gardens magazine not once but twice.

In 1978, Henry met the love of his life, Lauren Rodney. The following year, they were united in holy matrimony, blending their families and welcoming two children, Ricky and Natasha. Henry, affectionately known as Richie, and Lauren, lovingly called Ren, were inseparable—a perfect match and the best of friends. This past August 4th, they joyfully celebrated 45 years of marriage.

Henry's faith was at the core of his life. He was baptized into the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1951. He served in many roles, starting at Ebenezer SDA Church and then at North Philadelphia SDA Church, where he was an elder under the pastorship of the late J.C. Smith. God ultimately led Henry to use his talents and experience to help grow the youngest sister church in the Philadelphia area at the time – Mizpah SDA. In his later years, Henry and Lauren transitioned to United Missionary SDA Church (now East Lansdowne SDA), where he continued his discipleship for over ten years. 

Although Henry unofficially retired at 85, he continued to live with energy and purpose—whether at home, at church, or as the handyman at his and Lauren's apartment complex. He also took great pride in overseeing their final business venture, The RenRich Vegetarian Health Store. For Henry, age was just a number, and he remained committed to making each day meaningful, proving that staying active is essential to a fulfilling life.

Henry was preceded in death by his six sisters, Agnes, Annie, Axie, Margie, Nettie, and Thelma; his two brothers, Booker and Harry; and his son, Wayne. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lauren; his children, Cynthia (Anthony), Ricky (Yuleysi), and Natasha (Albert); his grandchildren, Regina, Leilani, Justin, Toni, Alex, Natalie, Aliah, and Nathalia; and his great-grandchildren, Lorene and Peyton.

Henry's life was a testament to resilience, faith, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to family. He leaves a profound and rich legacy of love, generosity, and philanthropy, and all who have had the privilege of knowing him will deeply feel his absence.