Keith Julian Richards

Mr. Keith Julian Richards 37 of Charlotte, NC. passed away June 2, 2017 at Levine & Dickson Hospice- Southminster Charlotte, NC. Funeral service will be held Saturday June 10, 2017 at Chappell Memorial Baptist Church. 110 Bradford Dr. Charlotte, NC 28216. Visitation will begin at 12:30 pm and the service will follow at 1:00 pm interment will be in Gethsemane Memorial Gardens.

Keith Julian Richards was born on a Sunny Day, July 13, 1979 in Brooklyn, New York. Brooklyn Hospital to be exact to Kathleen and Stephen Cornelius Richards.  Since then he has shined his light wherever he went in life. His personal light dimmed on June 2, 2017, but his illumination to the world will shine forever.

Keith grew up in Flatbush Brooklyn and Rosedale, Queens, New York. He attended Public School 38, Junior High School 231 and graduated from Martin Van Buren High School in June 1996. Keith excelled in all three schools. He only showed the world a shimmer of glimmer of what was yet to come.

He loved to travel, and he always dressed immaculately. He loved his burgundy Honda, affectionately called Rosey. And boy, he could dance- but most of all he loved spaghetti. While others would order breakfast food, Keith would order spaghetti. Keith was always the life of the Party.

With a glint in his eye and a sparkle in his step Keith attended the University of Delaware and became a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. His Frat brothers have repeatedly told me that Keith’s radiance gave glow to meetings, step shows, and his blaze made just hanging out an event.

Keith graduated from the University of Delaware in 2001 with a BA in Psychology. His inner light illuminated as a Social Worker. He loved working with young people. Keith lived, worked, and worshiped as a true New Yorker. A beacon of style and a radiant wordsmith.

His love of music and writing combined to create a vision that gave off a form of radiance that
made you smile and tap your feet to his musical Hip Hop poetry and beats. Keith completed four albums and wrote a book, Animated Poems.

Keith under the leadership of his parents found the Lord. Keith had dual membership at St. Paul’s Community Baptist Church under Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood and Abyssinian Baptist Church under Rev. Calvin O. Butts, both churches are in New York City. Time and study at these institutions gave Keith sight and insight to the main source of light, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Keith’s bright smile and his pearly whites brighten all rooms and hearts and gave love to all those who encountered his presence. In his afterglow, he leaves behind a large halo for us to stand under.

Keith transitions to meet his mother, Kathleen Richards, grandmothers- Doris Richards and Lillian White, grandfathers- Ivan Richards, Welton Johnson, and James J. White and a host ancestors, especially the entertainers he loved!

Keith leaves behind in his afterglow his Dad, Stephen C. Richards, his sister, Stacy Camille Yates (Malcolm), his niece, Camille Kathleen Yates, Special Lady, Maxine Hedgepeth, loving Aunts, proud Uncles, Nephews, Nieces, Cousins, and Friends. Special love recognition to his college friends that traveled from long distances to show their undying support and love. Special Love to his brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Nu Xi Chapter at University of Delaware who remained at his side with a blaze of Love, a Flare of prayer, and a Stream of polished brotherhood.