Eddie Richards, Jr. was born in the south. He attended Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, Tennessee where he excelled as a running back and defensive cornerback on the school’s varsity football team. From his football coach, Eddie learned the value of hard work and commitment. After high school, he received a “full-ride” scholarship to Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale, Illinois where he studied education and played at the coveted cornerback spot, earning the nickname, “The Juice.” SIU taught him the value of perseverance and the importance of moving forward even under insurmountable pressures.

In 1971, Eddie Richards became a warrior on the battlefield as a U. S. Army Military Police officer (MP). Eddie later became a National Guardsman and served in Chicago. Military service taught him discipline and the importance of being under authority and following leadership without question. He was honorably discharged in 1976 having served his country well.

Eddie Richards was an avid bowler and gambler, known to get up in the middle of the night to bowl a game. One night in a Chicago alley, a fellow gambler became angry and attempted to shoot Eddie in the back of the head. The gun failed to discharge. God had other plans for Eddie Richards.

By this time, Eddie Richards was married to Margie Wynn whose mother was saved and not only prayed for them but reminded them often that they needed salvation. One night in January 1977, while attending a service “under protest,” Eddie followed Margie down the aisle to give his life to the Lord. That night, he was baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Later he received the gift of the Holy Ghost – on an elevator at the Merchandise Mart.

Eddie and Margie began attending the Morgan Park Assembly Church of the Apostolic Faith where the late District Elder Robert A. Baggett was pastor. There they both served as Sunday School teachers and Eddie worked in the Junior Church from 1978 – 1987, impacting the lives of hundreds of children.

In September 1987, the Lord called Eddie to the office of Pastor and he subsequently became the Pastor of the Hazel Crest Assembly Church where he has labored for more than thirty-three years. Elder Richards was ordained in April 1991 by the late Bishop Arthur M. Brazier. He became a District Elder in 1993 and was assigned to oversee 9 churches. On July 12, 2007, he was ordained as a Suffragan Bishop. As the Lord directed, Eddie was able to return to school and earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Education and his Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

While Suffragan Bishop Eddie Richards and Sister Marjorie Richards had both been married previously, they were united in holy matrimony for 43 years prior to her passing in July 2019. Altogether, the Richards had six children. Sister Richards came into the marriage with two children, Aaron and Antonio (deceased). Suffragan Bishop Richards had three children: Jocque and twins Jetton and Shonice. The couple had one child together, Eddie G. Richards, III.