Phillip Richardson

Homegoing Celebration Saturday Sept 13, 2025 @ 11:00 am

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Phillip Malvern Richardson was born July 18, 1966 in Enterprise, Alabama to Roy D. Richardson, Sr. and Dorothy Whitehurst Richardson. Phillip acknowledged and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Enterprise, Alabama where he was an active member until he relocated. His mom, which was his first lifelong best friend, made sure he encompassed Godly principles to prepare him for life.Growing up in Enterprise Alabama among loving and supportive family and community, Phil excelled academically and athletically. He was active in math clubs in junior and senior high school. Football and Tinkering with electronic equipment was a pastimes he enjoyed. He was a true University of Alabama football fan! It inspired his athletic ability and was displayed throughout his childhood as a football player on Pop Warner teams to a position as inside linebacker for the Enterprise High School Wildcats. One of Phil’s proudest moments as a football player was in 1982 when the Wildcats became the second football team in the school’s history to win the 4A Region State Championship.

After Phillip graduated from Enterprise High School, he joined the United States Navy in 1985. He was part of the crew of the USS Sterette and made lifelong friends with his shipmates. He was stationed in many countries, but the Philippines was his favorite. There he had both his daughters, Janessa and Dorothy, who became the apples of his eye. “Isn’t she Lovely”, by Stevie Wonder became his song for them. During this time, he also served during the Persian Gulf War earning him a medal for his campaign time overseas. When received orders to San Diego, he decided to end his tenure in the military and settle into his new home state. There he met the love of his life, Tracy. At the time of his departure from this life, they were married for 28 years. Tracy loved that he tried to act so tough but really, he was a huge teddy bear. They had two handsome sons, Brandon and Dorian. He bragged about Brandon’s love for the arts and loved watching Dorian play football. He also spoke highly of his son-in-law, Terrence. He was impressed with his work ethic and how he loved his daughter as much as he loved her. He celebrated his kids on their journeys and never missed a graduation, celebration or achievement. He was a proud Dad and even prouder Big PA. He loved being a Big Pa to Aniyah Christine, Saige Isabella and Pierce Jeremiah. Those babies could do nothing wrong. He was so proud and cherished the time he got to love them when he was physically able. And when away, he watched them virtually and made sure they knew Big Pa loved them.

Phillip loved his family more than anything. If anyone called and said, “ I need you”, he was there without any further questioning. He had a huge heart, and it extended to the field where he coached football. He loved working with the kids and teaching them the fundamentals of the game. He loved working with his niece, Tenaya and nephew Tryntin on their drills. It was his way of bonding with them. His nieces Constance and D’Shonci could always count on him to check in on them and give them words of encouragement.

Beyond family, he was known in the community as the best security anyone could ask for. People and companies would ask for him by name because he did such a good job making sure everyone felt safe while having a good time.The community grieves him because he was such a gentle giant yet forceful in his own right. Many said that it was his faith in God and his want to make sure everyone saw it in his actions, that made him so loveable. This was true, because to him, Faith, was a verb and not just something you professed, but you lived it through every action he took.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roy D. Richardson, Sr and Brother, Richard K. Richardson. He leaves to cherish his memory his beautiful wife, Tracy (Vista California), his daughters Janessa (Terrence) Reese (Jonesboro, GA) and Dorothy Richardson (Enterprise, AL), his sons Dorian and Brandon (Vista, CA), his mother, Dorothy J. Richardson; brother, Roy Richardson, Chattanooga, TN, a sister, Linda Arnold, Chattanooga, TN; his 3 grandchildren, Aniyah Christine (Enterprise, AL), Saige Isabella and Pierce Jeremiah (Jonesboro, GA) two nephews, Rasheen Carlton and Tryntin Richardson, Vista, CA; three neices, D’Shonci Richardson, Cleveland, OH and Constance Lawrence, Camden, NJ; Tenaya Littles (Vista, Ca), his cousin Curtis who stayed by his side and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. He will be greatly missed.

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