Eric Benjamin Richardson (Age 68) of Dalzell, South Carolina.

Eric Richardson entered into eternal rest on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at Palmetto Health Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina after suffering a massive stroke.

Mr. Richardson was born February 17, 1945 in Washington, DC to Frederick Richardson and Lillian Myers Richardson. Eric attended St. Emma Military Academy before receiving a full scholarship to the Maryland State College-Eastern Shore for his talent in track and field. He entered the US Army and was honorably discharged after 4 years of serving as a civil draftsman. He ended his military career in 1973 after serving one year in the Army Reserve. He received numerous awards and decorations for entertaining the troops.

Eric was also known as Ricco, the manager and saxophonist of the Educators Band and Show (which he formed) for more than forty years.

As a devoted member of Hopewell Baptist Church, Eric was a member of the male choir and the HBC Music Ministry.

Left to cherish his fond memories are his mother, Lillian Richardson, sister, Joy Hinton, brothers, Alan (Jocelyn) and Wayne Richardson (all of Bryans Road, MD), children Miguel Richardson of Waldorf, MD, Crishone Johnson and Renee Richardson of Washington, DC, Ricco (Akina) Richardson of Japan, Mia Lindler of Kings Mountain, NC, Melvin and Kelvin Coleman of Greenville, SC, Bobby (Arbadella) Coleman of Graycourt, SC, Parker (Tracy) Coleman of Charlotte, NC and Tria (Leon) Kibler of Chapin, SC. He also leaves behind an aunt, Ophelia Myers of Landover, MD, uncles, Girard (Edith) and Oliver (Alice) Myers, twenty-four grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frederick Richardson and grandson, Mateo Richardson.

During Eric's time of sickness he was visited often by his close friend and fellow church member, Deacon Gerald Mallard.

A church service for Mr. Richardson will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 15, 2013, at Hopewell Baptist Church in Sumter, SC. Officiating will be Pastor Richard Addison. Pratt Funeral Home of Newberry, SC will be assisting the family.

Another service will be held at Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Indian Head, MD on Friday, June 21, 2013. The viewing will take place at 10 a.m. and service will begin at 11 a.m. A burial service will be held at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Maryland immediately following. Online guestbook at www.thorntonfuneralhomepa.com