DR. Joseph Randolph Richardson
1930 - 2000
Pastor Joseph Randolph Richardson was born to the late Rev. Joseph and Celestine Richardson. He completed his early education in New Orleans, graduating from Gilbert High School in 1948 where he was captain of the football team.
Pastor Richardson accepted Christ as his personal savior and was baptized at an early age. His parents raised him in a Christian atmosphere where he was taught to use his musical and oratorical gifts in the service of the Lord. As children he and his two younger siblings regularly ministered to the elderly at several convalescent homes in New Orleans.
Pastor Richardson pursued his singing career by touring with the Lillian Randolph Corral throughout the United States and abroad. They appeared on television and radio programs including the popular Amos and Andy television show.
In 1953 Pastor Richardson accepted his call to the ministry at the Victory Baptist Church in Los Angeles under the leadership of Dr. A. A. Peters. As a young man he persevered to continue his ministerial education by attending private theological institutions including Biola College. Rev. Richardson also assumed the duties of choir director at Victory Baptist Church and became the featured soloist for the church’s weekly broadcast.
In 1955 Pastor Richardson married Zeora Bea Moore and two years later was licensed and accepted the call to pastor the Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. With his dedicated wife always at his side, 1957 commenced a long Spirit-Filled life of service to his flock and to his community. He was husband, father, brother, and uncle, as well as preacher, teacher, pastor, counselor and servant to people in need.
Pastoral Ship
1957-1965 Greater Faith MBC /Los Angeles, CA
1965-1974 Prosperity MBC /Los Angeles, CA
1974-1986 El Bethel MBC /San Francisco, CA
1986-2000 Greater Faith MBC /San Francisco, CA
Dr. J.R. Richardson
Accomplishes
EL BETHEL ARMS
Low Income Senior
Citizens Affordable Housing
13 Stories / 248 Units
Completed the Project in 1974
Chairman of the Board
1974 - 1986
A Clean, Safe and Secure Place for Senior Citizens to Live. Individual spacious apartments for each senior with safe transportation for assisting their needs. Residents enjoy this apartment community which includes food services, social programs, updated safety and local information and many other services to meet their every need.
EL BETHEL TERRANCE
Low Income Senior
Citizens Affordable Housing
7 Stories / 101 Units
Founder
Chairman of the Board
1984 - 1986
A Clean, Safe and Secure Place for Senior Citizens to Live. Individual spacious apartments for each senior with safe transportation for assisting their needs. Residents enjoy this apartment community which includes food services, social programs, updated safety and local information and many other services to meet they every need.
CAMP FRICOT
Camp Grounds / Convention Center
Executive Director / Owner
1980
Camp Fricot was Purchased and Operated for the purpose of fostering positive religious identity; promote religious principles based on tradition and holy scripture; and build a diverse, supportive, temporary community, training youth for leadership roles within their own communities. Also Camp Fricot was purchased for the purpose of being used by the Baptist State Convention as a Convention Center during their annual sessions.
AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCH HEALTH & ECONOMICS SERVICES FOUNDATION
Co-Founder
Board of Directors
1995
Purpose: To form a Legal Partnership Corporation and Foundation with Pastors and Medical Doctors for the purpose of Sponsoring and Funding Conferences, Seminars, Training, Education, Recreation and Various other Activities related to Physical and Mental Health for the People of our Community.
Joseph S. Pough Education and Research Institute
Founder
Chairman of the Board
1984
Purpose: Provide a Clean, Safe and Secure learning atmosphere and environment for children of all ages. Provide excellent educational curriculums that will keep the students in the higher academic range of students across the country. Also, it is the responsibility of the institute to research, collect and analyze data concerning all levels of education and health care information.
Dr. J.R. Richardson Music History
Pastor Joseph Randolph Richardson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. According to Dad; His musical background began as a child, His mom would teach him and his two younger siblings how to sing in harmony at the dinner table at night and then regularly take them to minister in music to the elderly at several convalescent homes in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Pastor Richardson pursued his singing career by touring with the Lillian Randolph Corral throughout the United States and abroad. They appeared on television and radio programs including the popular Amos and Andy television show.
At the Victory Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California under the leadership of Dr. A. A. Peters. Joseph Richardson assumed the duties of choir director at Victory Baptist Church and became the featured soloist for the church’s weekly radio broadcast.
During this time Dr. Richardson also receive personal training and instruction for conducting choirs from the renown Thurston Fraizer (American Gospel Choir Master), in which they also became very close friends.
Dr J.R. Richardson studied and received formal training in Opera Singing as a Tenor Vocalist from the Los Angeles Music Conservatory and perused it as a career.
While at the Victory Baptist Church of Los Angeles, California, Dr. Richardson also received professional voice lessons from Robbie Lee Williams (Mother of Billy Preston) who was a Pianist at the Victory Baptist Church of Los Angeles, California.
In 1980 Dr Richardson full-filled a lifelong dream by releasing his first record album that featured his sermon message “The King is Coming” which also included his selections of songs from the Mass Choir of the Church He pastored at that time.
Dr. Richardson was also a featured vocalist twice for the Singing Pastor’s Concert of the Bay Area. Along with his spiritual renditions he also performed the Opera selection of “The Old Plow Boy” as he was dressed in Black Tuxedo Tails.
Dad would often tell us that he gave up Show-Biz, Entertainment, a Opera Career and a Long Car to be able to Preach the Gospel.
Lillian Randolph Corral
TV/Radio Touring
1950's
Los Angeles Music Conservatory
Studied/Trained for Opera Soloist (Tenor)
1950's
Record/Recording Release
The King is Coming
1980
Joseph Richardson Music Award
Justin Cummings: Music/Choir Master
1980
Zeora Bea Richardson
1931 - 2022
REMEMBERING MOM
Zeora Bea Moore was born on December 4, 1931, in Tallulah, Louisiana; she was the second of six children to Alee and Audria Moore who preceded her in death. At the age of four, her family moved to Los Angeles, California. There, the young Zeora was raised in a loving Christian home with her siblings Abe, Alee Jr, Gloria, Maureen, and Michael who all preceded her in death.
Little Zeora accepted Christ and was baptized at a young age at Zion Hill MBC of Los Angeles, CA. She had no idea what a gift she would be to the ministry and everyone who encountered her. She was being prepared and molded, by God, for a life of service.
Affectionately known as, “Late”, Zeora was always a lady. Her family gave her the nickname, “Lady,” but over the years Lady started to sound like “Late”. No matter her title, she had consistently been a loving and kind person. Even as a young lady,she gained admiration from all that experienced her. Zeora had a bubbly personality and could always be seen greeting, smiling, and loving on family, friends, and church members. Several strangers were blessed with her conversation and family news. She was a role model for her younger siblings and cousins. Zeora would skate up and down the streets with several family members. She taught her younger family members to skate and bought them their first pair of skates.
Zeora formal education took place in the Los Angeles County School District. She graduated from Jefferson High School. Her first job was at a company called VOLT, that specialized in making athletic gear and basketballs. Her parents were very active in their communities right to vote, so they hosted voting polls during election time. Zeora was very active in supporting her parents and community during this time.
She received a scholarship to attend City College of Los Angeles. There she completed and graduated as a licensed cosmetologist in the state of California, which enabled her to showcase her talents in the beauty industry. Zeora would exchange services with her sister Gloria; Gloria would iron her clothes and Zeora would do her hair. Her favorite job was being an “expert professional shopper.” We all benefited from that skill because of her giving spirit.
In the year of 1955, Zeora married the Rev. Joseph Richardson and became a loving and devoted wife for over 45 years. From their union, seven children, Paul, Katharine, who preceded her in death, Linda, Sharon, David, Joseph, and Aaron, were born and raised to serve the Lord.
Zeora Richardson began her servanthood career in 1957 as the First Lady of Greater Faith Baptist Church of Los Angeles, CA. She continued to serve as the First Lady of Prosperity Baptist Church of Los Angeles, CA in 1974, First Lady of El Bethel Baptist Church of San Francisco, CA in 1987, and finally First Lady of Greater Faith Baptist Church of San Francisco, CA. First Lady was not her only position and responsibility in the ministry. She supported the Sunday School Ministry, Baptist Training Union, and Women’s Auxiliary. She was a very active member of several local, state, and national Ministries Wives Chapters. She once held the position of President of the San Francisco Minster Wives and Widow chapter. In 2000, after God called her loving husband, Rev. Joseph R. Richardson from labor, she was blessed with becoming the First Lady Emeritus of Greater Faith Baptist Church of San Francisco, CA.
Zeora has positively influenced multiple generations. Quiet and humble, she had a mighty and powerful presence that was felt everywhere she went. She was a master of giving. She was a master of relationships and easily one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Sister Richardson was an expert at being a devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great Great Grandmother, Sister, Sister in Love, Aunt, Friend, Prayer, Giver, Protector, Advisor and a faithful and graceful servant of the Most High God.
She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, her husband, and her eldest daughter. She leaves to carry on her legacy by her children, Paul (Nealetta), Linda (Will Sr. preceded her in death), Sharon, David (Ella), Joseph, Aaron (Regina). Her Grandchildren, Monique, Andre, Adrianne, Will Jr. Kimberly, Cheree, Geneses, Dwayne Sr. (Eleena), Aaron Sr. (Briana), Rachel, Aaron., Joseph, Aaliyah. Great grandchildren, Brianna, Aaron Jr, Dwayne Jr., Aariana, Aalijah, Aalonah, Will III, Wayne, Elaine, Aariyah, Sharon, Zeora. Her great great grandchild Kailil.
Nieces and Nephews, Leonard (Alameda), Gwendolyn (preceded her in death), Michael, Carol, Eddie Jr., Tracey, Michelle (Rodney), Terri, David, Leroy, Darlene, Carolyn, Cinderella, Althea, and a host of loving cousins, friends, and church family.
From The House of Joseph
Rev/Dr Joseph & Zeora Richadrson
Our Mom and Dad
The Next Generation
Paul Richardson
Published Author
Linda (Richardson) Gillyard
Personal Financial Specialist
Sharon (Richardson) Butler
Gifted Public Orator