Carol Robeson Richards

Carol Elizabeth Robeson Richards peacefully left this world and joined God and the Savior she loved and served in a place prepared for her on Friday morning, February 3. Carol passed away at her home in Welcome, NC, after battling metastatic breast cancer.

Carol was born on March 3, 1935, in Scranton, PA, to Leon H. and Ruth S. Robeson. She had two brothers, Paul, who married Carol Downey, and Lee who preceded her in death in 2016, leaving his beloved wife Alice. Carol attended the State Teachers College in Mansfield, PA, and graduated from the School of Nursing at Hahnemann Hospital in 1956. She practiced nursing in a V.A. hospital in New Jersey, followed by public health work for the Visiting Nurse Association in Scranton, PA. Carol married David Lewis Richards on May 9, 1959, at Simpson United Methodist Church.

Dave and Carol became born again Christians in 1966 at Grace Bible Church in Dunmore, PA. They became part of a founding group from that church which established Summit Baptist Bible Church near their home in Clarks Summit, PA. They were called into missionary service, and in 1970 moved to Winston-Salem, NC, where Dave attended Piedmont Bible College. They joined Reedy Creek Baptist Church in 1971.

Dave and Carol had four children: Mark David, Sandra Lynn, Nathan, and Cherith Anne. In 1975, the Richards family moved to the Paris, France area for language school at l’Alliance Francaise. In late 1976, they moved to Tombouctou (Timbuktu), Mali, and later to Dire, Mali to work with another missionary. Carol used her nursing skills by opening her home to serve patients in need, and home-schooled Nathan and Cherith, while Mark and Sandy went to Ivory Coast Academy in Bouake. Dave and Carol ministered in Mali until forced to flee due to terrorist activity. They continued their missionary work in Kokstad, South Africa in 1992, and Hazyview, South Africa in 1995, working to establish two churches. They retired in Welcome, NC in 1999.

With Carol’s passing, the world has lost a good, strong, smart, inspirational soul, who through terminal breast cancer kept her faith, kindness, caring, wit, and strong mind. Reverend David Richards has lost the love of his life. He and Carol were as one for 63 years in an adventure they forged together, sharing the gospel, and living life with thanksgiving, joy, and laughter. Carol’s children, all living, and their families and seven grandchildren, have lost a most dear, loving, and caring mom and grandma. Carol was a powerful presence in the family, a centerpiece and anchor. She recently told her children not to worry about her as she will be in a better place—she wants them to live their lives to the fullest as she has, living for God. Carol’s life, wonderfully lived, will be wonderfully remembered in a visitation and service at Reedy Creek Baptist Church (600 Reedy Creek Baptist Church Road, Lexington, NC 27295) on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 10am. Family and friends are invited.

You may make a donation in honor of Carol's missionary service and memory to the Missions Fund at Reedy Creek Baptist Church. https://reedycreeklexington.org/giving/

Davidson Funeral Home Hickory Tree Chapel is serving the Richards family.