ELLEN B. RICHARDSON

Mother Ellen Blanding Richardson, 103, the last survivor of 11 children and the only daughter born to January and Mattie Lindsay Blanding; her earthly life is gone and her new life began on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018.

She was a life-long resident of Sumter.

Ellen, affectionately known as "Sister," was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. She attended the general studies department of child development of University of South Carolina and completed competency in child development, July 25, 1977.

Ellen also received an award from Sumter County DSS for Day Care Employee of the Year in 1983. She was awarded a service certificate from the state of South Carolina for retirement on Jan. 1, 1986.

Ellen was a homemaker, employed as a salad maker at Shaw Air Force Base Commissary and was a cook at the High Hills Day Care. She was a lifetime member of the High Hills Baptist Church, where she attended faithfully until her health declined.

She served as an usher, secretary of Sunday school and assistant Sunday school teacher to Mrs. Sarah English. Ellen received a certificate of appreciation for devoted and invaluable service rendered to High Hills Baptist Missionary Society on April 20, 1977, and on Dec. 8, 1991.

She received a certificate of recognition for 57 years of membership at High Hills Missionary Baptist Church on Aug. 15, 1993.

She also received two special plaques, one on her 100th birthday celebration and another for the oldest Mother of the Church.

This blessed woman leaves to cherish her memory and legacy three children, Gardenia R. Dennis (Willie), Dorothy R. Owens (Willie) and Ervin H. Richardson Jr.; a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives; adopted children; and friends.

The family will receive visitation of relatives and friends from 3 to 8 p.m. daily at the home, 6830 Scales Road in Sumter.

Public viewing will be from 3 to 6 p.m. today in the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St. in Sumter.

Celebration of life services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at the High Hills Missionary Baptist Church, 6750 Meeting House Road in Dalzell, with the Rev. Donald Amis, pastor, as eulogist; and the Rev. Eugene G. Dennis, pastor of Joshua Baptist Church, presiding over the ceremony.

The remains will be placed in the church at 10 a.m.

The funeral procession will leave from the home at 10:20 a.m.

Burial will be in the High Hills Missionary Baptist Church Yard Cemetery.

These services are a courtesy announcement entrusted to the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St. in Sumter.

Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com.

Visit us on the Web at williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.