Charles Rodney Richardson, 80, of Columbia, died Thursday, July 4, 2013. Born June 19, 1933, in Prosperity, he was a son of the late Jacob C. and Alice Janelle Richardson. Charles graduated from Newberry College with a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and then went on to pursue his Masters from the University of South Carolina. He began his career as a teacher and coach at Chapin High School. Mr. Richardson went on to teach for 34 years, working in Lexington 5 and Richland District One. He served as a teacher and assistant principal of Heyward Gibbes Middle and assistant principal of Hand Middle School. Charles was a lifetime member of the National Education Association.

Mr. Richardson was a longtime member of Ascension Lutheran church, where he served as Sunday school teacher, church council member, and a member of the Men's Group. He served his country as a member of the SC National Guard, retiring after 35 years. He was a member of the National Guard Association of South Carolina.

Survivors include his wife, Delores Comalander Richardson; sons, Roger (Shannon) Richardson of Lexington and Robert Richardson of Rock Hill; daughter, Rhonda (George) Adams of Lexington; grandchildren, Kristen Soltish, Caroline, Madeleine, Katie, Olivia, and Becky Richardson, Chaz Adams, Lee Ann Jacobs, Trina (D.J.) Ellis; great grandchildren, Payton and Haylee Jacobs, Rayne and Deuce Ellis; sister, Claire (Woodrow) Huffstetler of Prosperity; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Charles was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Tracey Soltish.

The funeral service for Mr. Richardson will be held 2 o'clock, Sunday, July 7th, at Ascension Lutheran Church, with The Rev. Jackie Utley, The Rev. Russell Anderson, and The Rev. Dr. Sam Catoe. Burial will follow at St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery in Pomaria. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of Ascension Lutheran, Saturday evening from 5 until 7 o'clock. Memorials may be made to Ascension Lutheran Church, 827 Wildwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29203 or to The St. Paul Restoration Fund, First Community Bank, PO Box 417, Newberry, SC 29108.