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BORN
1932
DIED
2020
Little Richard Obituary
Richard Wayne Penniman was born on Dec. 5, 1932, in Macon. He is perhaps best known for his hit songs, including Tutti Frutti and Good Golly Miss Molly.
He was buried following a small funeral on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 in Oakwood Memorial Gardens Cemetery, a cemetery owned by Oakwood University, in Huntsville, Ala.
Read more about Little Richard on ajc.com, including his best-known songs, photos and reaction to his death.
Little Richard's quiet funeral.
Memories and Condolences
for Little Richard
86 Entries
Lovette Johnson-Ellerbe
October 24, 2023
I´m watching your documentary and it was so good!! I´m so sorry I couldn´t have met you. You will be missed by many people, especially ME! May you continue to REST IN PERFECT PEACE!!!!
The Friends of Pebble Beach
October 14, 2023
The Friends of Pebble Beach
October 14, 2023
The Friends of Pebble Beach give honor to Little Richard for his music that he shared with the world. Condolence to the family. TFPB
Yellowknife
May 15, 2023
The Heavens are where you are my old friend.
K.H. McCottry
April 30, 2023
Richard W. Penniman, a born again soul. We shall remember Brother Richard as so.
Your Missed Little Richard Rest In Peace
January 29, 2023
Bill Harren
October 18, 2022
Little Richard with fans. We had our picture took with him in front of KMBY radio station, Cannery Row, Monterey, Ca.,1964 before he performed at the then Monterey Conference Center at Monterey Fairgrounds,Ca. You put on a great show Richard. Rest In Peace.
Bill Harren
October 16, 2022
Little Richard at KMBY radio station, Cannery Row, Monterey,Ca.1964 on a photo shoot before playing that evening at the Conference Center, Monterey Fairgrounds,Ca. He put on a great show with Jimi Hendrix as his lead guitar player. My deep condolence to his family and friends who miss him as I do also.
Bill Harren
October 15, 2022
In memory of Little Richard. Rest in everlasting peace.
Shirley Caldwell
December 19, 2020
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Joe DeHoyos
July 25, 2020
RIP Little Richard ✝
You were/are a great great entertainer and high energy was your enthusiastic great style ! And you are a great pianist/singer and Jerry lee Lewis also. I hate to see all of you pass for people like you, Jerry lee Lewis, Fats domino, Big Bopper, Richie Valens, Roy Orbison, Chubby Checker, Bobby Darin, Chuck berry, Bill Haley, everlee brothers, little Anthony and the imperials,
King of R&R Elvis and others made the 1950s and 1960s. Thanks for your contributions to American music and entertainment.
JD
Carlsbad Texas - Sanitarium Texas
PAUL RAMM
June 17, 2020
THE GREATEST ROCK & ROLLER EVER.
Maleah Smith
June 4, 2020
Little Richard- one of the greatest singers and entertainers of all time! The true architect of rock & roll! And most importantly, a wonderful, sweet man who loved the Lord and ministered to others! Mr. Richard Penniman, Thank you for your music and all of the happiness you have given me throughout my life. One of my earliest memories as a 3 year old child was hearing you sing, and Ill never forget it. You have always been a great part of my heart & always will be. Ill miss you! Rest in God! I love you forever Little Richard! Sending my heartfelt condolences to all of Mr. Pennimans family and friends.
Martha
May 29, 2020
I love to see little Richard perform
May 27, 2020
It was such a joy to be a classmate of Richard and Ernestine at Oakwood and to hear him sing "Amazing Grace" as no one else could. May our Lord bring strength and comfort to the family. Phyllis Bryan Paytee
James and Portia Wrice
May 27, 2020
Lifting up the family
Melba Bruce
May 25, 2020
Remembering the best singer and dancer of his time!
Love you Little Richard!
Brenda Young
May 25, 2020
Love him so much was a very uplifting person
D.J. / JAS O'B
May 24, 2020
Little Richard,
The greatest Rock & Roll Singer with music that will never be forgotten. We love your music in Augusta, Ga., & we are sending you Love for entertaining the world. Mr. Richard Penniman, We Love you and Thank you. Rest in Peace because you have earned your wings.
Helmut Pawla
May 24, 2020
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Donna King
May 23, 2020
Little Richard lived an exciting life. He had a flare for the exotic. I admired his flamboyance. What I admired most of all is his love for God and not being afraid to let it be know. Thank God for a transformed life. His life was a testimony of what God can do for a person if they desire to live for him. Asleep in Jesus, soon to rise. Sweet be thy rest.
Norvalle WILLIAMS
May 23, 2020
Little Richard,was before his time,and his life had purpose.He made it easy for people,to feel comfortable,in their own skin.HE was truly a blessing,to the world.Thank you,Little Richard;may you Rest In Peace.Great music too.!!
Madlynn Malcolm
May 22, 2020
A true legend and god-fearing man I will always remember your songs and the joy you brought to fans like me all around the world you will truly be missed heaven has gained a true legend rest in peace.
Vicki Turner
May 22, 2020
I have been a fan of Little Richard since 1955. I was honored to see him in person twice.
He will be missed.
Vicki Turner
Robert Benowitz
May 22, 2020
I met Little Richard on a flight from Atlanta to Dallas. He was kind and gracious and gave me an autograph. Long Tall Sally is one of my favorite songs. Long live Rock n Roll and long live Little Richard!
Mary Hawkins
May 22, 2020
I grew up in the south and everyone heard Little Richard on the radio! He was such a major icon in American music! Rest In Peace in your Heavenly Home!
Love from a fan Mary Hawkins
You will never be Forgotten!
Joel Smith
May 22, 2020
I am 77 years old and experienced the birth of rock n roll first hand as a teenager in the 50's. When Little Richard hit the scene, everything changed. He put the power in the music that remains today. His life story and the birth of rock n roll are one in the same and would make a great movie. I could be a consultant in the making of the movie about the impact of the invention of rock n roll in America as well as its spread to become a world-wide phenomenon.
donna mcgehee
May 22, 2020
may his memory be eternal !!! my thoughts n prayers are with family,and friends and his feloow band members.... Little Richard ur music will live on forever.. u will sorely be missed
Don Mayeski
May 22, 2020
Your music still makes people move. My five year old son loved to dance, jump off and on the furniture and skip around the room to your greatest hits album. Later, he and my daughter loved your album for children. Thank you for your contributions to our world.
Brenda Huntsberry
May 22, 2020
Condolences to the family and friends. I loved Little Richard. I grew up listening and dancing to his music. He was awesome. I know he has had hard times. I thank God he's in.heaven.
Lester Boyd
May 22, 2020
Thank you Little Richard for shaking things up!
C. Franklin
May 22, 2020
You will always be remembered for your art of music
Tay
Joe Ann Jones
May 22, 2020
I will always remember dance on a Saturday morning to Mr. Richard music. Thank for being apart my childhood.
Rest on Rock Roll of History.
Bruce L Holmes Sr
May 22, 2020
Keep The Faith,GOD IS ALWAYS RIGHT!
Bruce L Holmes, Sr.
Selma,Alabama
Yolanda Avery
May 22, 2020
Thank you Little Richard for being a part of my childhood memories, I just watched one of your last sermons, and it really touched my soul, rest well in his arms.
suE sowers
May 22, 2020
Go WITH GoD
J C
May 22, 2020
Richard is one of the most important human spirit liberators of the 20th century! But most of all his message of divine love for all is what really lay at the heart! I feel so blessed to have seen him just one night at the Birchmere 2009!
So glad his ministry was fulfilled! Thank you to our heavenly Lord for his life with us! Prayers to all in his family, thank you for keeping him safe for us! Love, jeanne c
Marvin Pickett
May 21, 2020
May God take you in his arms and shelter you with Peace and Love in your Heavenly home.
ANITA CARTER GRIER
May 21, 2020
Thoughts and Prayer's To the family of Little Richard. I was born in Macon also and moved away . But my older sister and brothers grew up in Macon before I was born and they would see Little Richard around Downtown Macon. And later after I was grown I had the privilege of seeing him perform at the Omni for one of shows produced by one of our great Atlanta Radio stations with my older sister. It was Awesome. When we would go back and visit Macon we would drive downtown and remember him. He was a wonderful entertainer.
And I loved him in the movie,
Mystery Alaska . Always very cool and debonair.
Rest In Peace Sir and thanks for the Memories.
Franklin Wesley
May 21, 2020
Always was a big fan of his, met him in person at restaurant on Palmetto Expressway in Miami in the late '70s after late Church service with my sister and a group of Church members.lt was the last time I saw him alive; R.I.P. MY friend.
Kay
May 21, 2020
God is still blessing Little Richard. May his family and fans find peace in his memories.
Jackie Goodman
May 21, 2020
Oh, how I loved Little Richard! Rest in peace.
George Dean
May 21, 2020
All the best and my condolences to his family...what a great life he led..!
Gary Sullivan
May 21, 2020
Prayers to the family. Legend, Artist. Never to be forgotten. With Jesus now.
Peggy Gibbs
May 21, 2020
You will be missed. No more pain for you! You are seated on the right hand of the Father. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. RIP
Dana Lynn
May 21, 2020
To one of the best artist that ever grace the earth. You will be forever missed. I'm sorry I never got to attend church with you but I always had it on my list of to do things. Battling cancer doesn't always allow us the time to do everything we want to. Rest in peace sweet precious soul. You'll forever be loved. xo
Ross Wood
May 21, 2020
My father was a teenager in the mid-fifties and loved Rock and Roll music! When I was 5 yrs old, he introduced me to it, and turned me on to the true Architect of the whole ball of wax himself, Little Richard. I have enjoyed this music and the brethren that followed him on and off stage every since. I have passed on my knowledge and membership in this world exclusive club to my family's generations that have followed me for the last 5 decades! I wish you all the love in the world, and I personally thank you Richard, for making the musical relationship that my father and I shared so special for so many wonderful memories. Ross Wood
Robert Williams
May 21, 2020
To one Maconite from another, thank you Little Richard for the love you inspired through your music and with your personal energy and smile, you created the genre that many love today as "Rock and Roll". You will truly be missed my brother, but your name and great contribution to the world of music will live on forever and ever. Thanks for sharing your gift and your heart felt happiness with us all. Rest in peace, my homeboy. May GOD bless the family and friends of Little Richard of Macon, Ga and bless the home he was raised in Macon, Ga to become a monument of his musical treasures.
Bettye Diane Dixon
May 21, 2020
My deepest condolences to the family of the most amazing person in show business!
Jacquelyn Levy
May 21, 2020
Richard was always generous and kind to our family (families of Nellie Lutcher & Joe Lutcher, fron Lake Charles, LA) We will always remember how he supported us through happy and sad times. We will always be grateful and we love him to no end. He told me, years ago, that he wanted to be the one to officiate my wedding. It seems I took too long :-) Godspeed Richard - rest with the angels
Tonya Pendleton
May 21, 2020
Without you, there would have been no rock n roll and no Prince. Everyone owes you a debt of gratitude. Rest well!
Harold Davis
May 21, 2020
My dad would be 87 as well. He loved classical music and jazz in that order. The only thing mildly related to popular music I ever saw him buy was
a Best of Little Richard album off the television when he was in his 40s.
Valerie Billings
May 21, 2020
Heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends, and colleagues. Rest well Little Richard!
Rejenia Bryant
May 17, 2020
Greetings! Your Music and Singing was so AMAZING!!!...Thank You Georgia Native!. Rest in God Now!!!
Ira Stewart Grant Granddaughter
Eva Conner
May 17, 2020
I always heard about Little Richard from my Mother. I loved his songs and would dance and sing along with them. I will always cherish the memory of Little Richard, the signed photo and book he gave to the family.
Rest in Peace Cousin
Little Richard
Linda Smythe
May 13, 2020
Little Richard I love you so much. You are the one and only King Of Rock And Roll. Heaven is lucky to have you. You are missed already but your music will live on forever. Thank you Little Richard for being you and your contribution to the world.
Carol Dell
May 13, 2020
To the Family of Mr. Little Richard
What a legend and he hailed from the state of Georgia. What a performer! What a great singer!
You will be missed.
Jeb Biddy
May 12, 2020
Little Richard rest in peace. You were a great singer.
Sandra Parker Kemp
May 12, 2020
Macon Georgia's own. RIP Little Richard. Love you on that piano.
Love ❤ you and Miss you .. R.I.P...♥
Jennifer DiBenedetto
May 12, 2020
Leanna Boyle
May 11, 2020
I was introduced to Little Richard in preschool when I was 3 1/2 years old and I was listening to a record of Shake it All About with my class. He taught me "On top of Spaghetti" and "The Hokey Pokey" I also had a copy of that album on a cassette tape to listen to at home. He was a true legend.
VALENDA NEWELL
May 10, 2020
"KING OF ROCK AND ROLL".....Richard is LEGENDARY, he left us with so much great music. Nobody could sing and play the piano like this extraordinary man. A entertainer that that gave the world the GREATEST ENTERTAINMENT!
Thanks... for just being a AUTHENTIC MUSICIAN..(RIP)
Hellen Farrell
May 10, 2020
Rest in peace..my brother
Adam LongTallSally
May 10, 2020
Thank You for Your Music that give me thrill God bless You :(
Joe Giudice
May 10, 2020
You are right there with Buddy, Chuck and Elvis on the Mt.Rushmore of 50's rock.Rest in peace.
Christopher Fernandez
May 10, 2020
Thank You for the years of JOY and entertainment You brought to millions. You were a true Brught STAR talented and Funny and Your Love showed through Your Music. May You rest in Peace with the angels Until we can hear you again. You will be sadly missed and Happily remembered
Fantasy Island
May 10, 2020
Wow..May you rest in peace..its important to always give a person there roses while there here..with dat being said..Sleep on
BET its time to give this man his "Grace"
Yall paided tribute to all the other "Greats"
Wow..cant believe this
Christopher & Marita Crist
Christopher Crist
May 9, 2020
Thank You for Entertaining Us All. You Will Always Be Missed. You've been So Blessed
valerie whitlowe
May 9, 2020
Rest in peace Little Richard.
Michelle Dreiling
May 9, 2020
He was a very good entertainer and a very good piano player. My favorite song was Keep A knockin but you can't come in. He will be truly missed. My deepest sympathy to his family. May he Rest In Peace with the angels in heaven.
Mike
May 9, 2020
Someone had to bridge the gap for R&B/race music to evolve into what would become Rock n Roll. Sure, Elvis did a lot to make it acceptable to a white audience. However someone else fathered it all, and that was Little Richard.
Keith Leblanc
May 9, 2020
God Bless Little Richard and his family. Love and peace Keith Leblanc Millis MA
Kimberly
May 9, 2020
hank you for the memories. Deepest condolences to your family
kenneth schwartz
May 9, 2020
You have no idea how much you will be missed my friend.
Dennis Arrowood
May 9, 2020
R.I.P. Thank you for all your contributions, prayers to the family
Wanda
May 9, 2020
Rip Little Richard King of Rock And Roll Always Wanda Campbell
Rip Little Richard/Wanda
Wanda Campbell
May 9, 2020
Rip Little Richard King of Rock and Roll U Will be Missed Always Wanda Campbell
Jenna S
May 9, 2020
I am 48 and was not even born when Little Richard was first breaking the charts. That being said thank goodness for Oldies stations, special appearances, and old video clips! Been a fan since first hearing anything the Amazing Little Richard sang. Beautiful man - beautiful voice & style. Wish there would have been a big biography movie of him Before he passed.
Many prayers and condolences to his family and friends. Thanks for sharing your great gifts Little Richard! God Bless! Keeping all in my prayers as I listen to him Rock on. I hope there is an Amazing Funeral IN SPITE of these virus times. Or at least an upcoming ceremony in honor for all to view. Many prayers again to his family & those who will miss him most.
Steve Halpern
May 9, 2020
I wake up everyday and I hear Little Richard singing Tutti Frutti.
I always feel young when thinking of how timeless he is & was.
Thanking the almighty for his presence & present.
LaVerne Jones
May 9, 2020
RIP Little Richard, you'll be missed!
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