Oct. 15, 2004 – A funeral is set for 10 a.m. Monday at Emmaus Moravian Church for Beneick M. Richards, also known as "Big Ben"who died Monday at his Estate Adrian residence on St. John. He was 59.
Richards is survived by his mother, Agatha Francis; daughters Michelle, Marissa, Parnella, LaChelle and YuVahna Richards; sons Beneick "Benito," Gyasi and YoVahn Richards; sisters Elizabeth Brewley, Sarah Richards, Gladsy Douglas, Pamela Francis, Shirley Davis, Valdine "Ann"Richards and Glen Byron; brothers Joseph and Samuel Richards and Stedroy and Corley Francis; sisters-in-law Denise Murray-Richards, Hilda Richards and Deborah Francis; brothers-in-law Berris Brewley, Vernon Byron Sr. and Stanford Davis; grandchildren Malik Richards, Rahkiim Penn and Kinaé Lindo. Richards is also survived by special friends Leonile Lafranque, Rita Smith, Francis Fredericks, Peter Ryner, Orville Brown, Rudolph Benti, Ira Christian and Raymond Downy.
The 10 a.m. service will be preceded by a viewing beginning at 9 a.m., also at Emmaus Moravian Church. Interment will be at Calabash Boom Cemetery.