Bryan Edward Richards, age 85 of Hope, went home to be with his Lord on Monday, January 23, 2023.

Bryan was born on October 16, 1937 to Earl Edward and Johnnie Mae Richards. Even though he was saved later in life, Bryan loved the Lord. His favorite place to be was at Unity Baptist
Church. He would be the first to arrive, often sitting in his car until someone came to unlock the church doors. Bryan would get the monthly church calendar in the mail and write out birthday cards for everyone he knew. He loved his church family!

Bryan never met a stranger. He had many friends in the Nashville/Mineral Springs, DeQueen, and Hope areas where he lived over the years. He would make road trips often to see the ones who lived outside of Hope. He loved going to the doctor’s office. Sometimes there was nothing wrong, he just wanted to visit with the ladies in the office and get a bottle of medicine refilled.

Bryan lived a long full life in 85 years. He once owned a petting zoo in Cottonshed that had lions, tigers, bears, cougars, and many other animals. He loved all types of racing. In the past, he owned several race cars, and even owned a dirt track at one time. He loved going to NASCAR races around the country, and still enjoyed watching all forms of races as he got older. Bryan enjoyed feeding the ducks each day at Huckabee Lake. The ducks knew his car and would come waddling up when they saw him pull up.

Bryan will be missed by many people here on earth, but he told anyone who would listen that he knew where he was going and he was ready to go! Bryan knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, so he is in heaven today and for all of eternity.

Bryan is preceded in death by his parents, the mother of his 5 children Nancy Wright Richards Nichols, daughter Dorothy (Dottie) Richards Langley, son John Edward Richards, great granddaughter Ella Myers, great grandson Cason Lamb, and wife Joyce Somers Richards.

He is survived by one sister Earlene Russell of Little Rock; three daughters Carol (Larry) Lamb of Texarkana; Pam (Jerry) Langley of Sarepta, LA; Nancy (John) Kenworthy of Hope; Son in law David Langley of Sarepta, LA; daughter in law Tabitha Richards of Nashville, AR; step-daughter Dana Curtis; and a special neighbor who brought him food each day for the last 8 years: Barbara Robinson.
Grandchildren: Alisha Phillips, Will Langley, Michael Richards, Kenneth Lamb, Joshua Lamb, Holly Lamb, Warren Langley, Jennifer Edwards, Jessica Slack, Jamie Langley, Lexi Richards, Austin Richards, Tori Camp, Brittany Brown, and Dalton Kenworthy. Bryan had 38 great grandchildren and 11 great great grandchildren.

Bryan requested to be cremated. His memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 5 at 2:00 pm at Unity Baptist Church at 402 South Hervey Street in Hope with Bro Nick Flowers officiating. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bryan’s memory to Unity Baptist Church.

The family would like to thank the sweet staff at The Springs.