Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Our giant is now in the arms of Our Lord. Rev. Mark J. Richards, Jr., entered his eternal rest on Monday, December 19, 2016. He passed away peacefully in his sleep after battling acute heart disease at the age of 82 years. He was affectionately known as Papa, Rev., Borbor, Bor Mark, Old Pa, John Schmidt, Fahdeh, Mr. Richards, Mr. Mark; and a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Rest in Peace.

He met his wife Josephine M. Richards in 1957 and married January 10, 1960. For the past 60 years, they have truly lived their wedding vows "…to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish all the days of my life. This is my solemn vow." Together they raised ten children.

Mark spent more than half of his life in his beloved native home country, the Republic of Liberia, West Africa. For the last 30+ years, his primary residence in the United States was in the New York City area before retiring in Winston Salem. Rev. Richards was an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church for 56 years. Additionally, while in Liberia he owned and operated the Bong County Construction Company, developing key projects including Sinoe United Methodist Church, several World Bank projects and schools in Bong, Nimba and Sinoe Counties.

Mark enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, road travel, singing spiritual songs and if you got to know him well, he was quite the jokester who loved surprising people; a trait that has now been passed on to his family.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents Mark Sr. and Mary Heidee Carter; his siblings, Malissa, Lawrence, Elizabeth, Ben, Hannah and Isiah.

Rev. Richards is survived by his wife of 56 years, Josephine; their children biological and non-biological, Winston Davis (Musu), Henry Lynakgbe, Miamah "Mama" Moore, Kutu Paye, G. Orlando Richards (Hawa), Miamah Jo Richards, Martu J. Richards, Mordred J. Richards, Morie Richards, Frederick Silikpo, Emmanuel "EK" Trueh; grandchildren, Will Davis, Winnie Davis, Mornjay Dayunah (Tuatoe), Meshak Massalee, JoJo Momo, Martu Momo, Anastasia "NaeNae" Richards, Grandville "OJ" Richards, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Maikuser, Rhyan; siblings, Nyema "Johnson" Richards, John "Coco" Richards; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and cherished family friends.

Many thanks and appreciation to his healthcare team and caregivers for everything you did for Mr. Mark. We are forever grateful to you.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7

And indeed you have Mark, "Papa." To you we say, "until we meet again, goodnight."

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, December 31, 2016 at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Winston Salem, NC. Officiating clergy are: Bishop Bennie D. Warner (Oklahoma City, OK), Rev. Dr. William GBK Harris (Atlanta, GA) and Rev. Christian Quire (Winston Salem, NC). Interment immediately following worship at Parklawn Memorial Park. The family visitation will be held from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Friday, December 30, 2016 at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church.