Andrea “Drea” Denise Richards, was born in Columbus, Ohio, on January 20, 1977, to Helen Kelly and Lloyd Richards. As a child, she attended Hamilton Elementary School, Yorktown Middle School, Sherwood Middle School, and Walnut Ridge High School.
Andrea gained a passion for basketball in middle school and played for both middle school teams.
During her time playing basketball, both middle school teams went to the state championship and
won. In high school, she was scouted by Michigan Wolverines Women’s basketball team, because of
her talent and ability in basketball.
In December of 1994, Andrea gave birth to her only natural son, Adonis J. Dalton (Don-Don). She
worked for her parents in the family business “Soul to Soul” as a cook. She then developed a passion
for cooking. She could cook any type of food and was sought after to make different dishes. At one
point, she was the head chef at Thurman Café in Pataskala, Buffalo Wings and Rings, and even worked
at a Mediterranean restaurant. Andrea made her mark and impression in the restaurant industry by
the many jobs she held throughout the years.
Andrea loved camping, fishing, karaoke, and was an all-around people person. She stayed keeping
people laugh. She loved doing duet karaoke. She was the light of the party and could definitely turn
up a room. Her laughter was contagious and her positive attitude made people want to be better. She
was a strong person and went through health challenges, but did not allow the challenges to pose a
hinderance on her living her life.
Andrea was raised in Ebenezer Baptist Church under the Late Reverend L.C. Brown. She stopped
attending church for a while, but recommitted her life back to God at her grandson’s homegoing
celebration in 2014. Drea loved her family dearly. She was passionate about her love for her
granddaughter and spoiled her rotten. She was very proud of her only son, Don Don. Their bond was
unbreakable and they would do anything for each other. On April 22, 2019, she married Chiquita
Green. Through it all, she loved her and her stepsons.
Andrea was unexpectedly called home to be with the Lord on September 4, 2022, surrounded by her
loved ones. She was forty-five years old.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen Kelly; grandmothers, Ruth Kelly and Sally Richards;
grandfather, Paul Kelly; sisters, Althea “Pooh” Kelly and Dawn “DJ” Jones; grandson, Adonis J. Dalton
II “Baby AJ;” nephew, Ricky Darthard; aunt, Ann Tynes; and uncle, Elmer Richards.
Andrea leaves to cherish her memory: wife, Chiquita D. Richards; her King, Adonis Jovan Dalton, Sr. “Don-Don;” daughter-in-love, Rickyrah Dalton; granddaughter, Arianna Dalton; father, Lloyd Richards; stepkids, D’avonta Brown, A’hmad Green, and Qua’mire Green; father-in-law, Felix Davis, Sr.; brothers, Andre P. Richards, Sr., Robert (Ashlee) Tucker, Rahshawn Davis, and Jeremiah (Ebony) Hardgrow; brothers-in-law, Felix Davis, Jr., and Charles Masten; sisters, Yelonda Masten, Katrina Twitty, Taleha Robinson, Iesha Robinson, and Cierra Robinson; sisters-in-law, Alycia Davis and Antionette Davis; aunts,
Ida Williams, Mary Cunningham, Rhonda Bennett, and Katrinka Baxter; uncle, David Richards; mothers-in-law, Tia Davis and Sonya Trammel; nephews, Cody E. Davis, Jr., Andre Darthard, Jeavion Darthard, Gabriel Masten, Andre Richards, Jr., D’Andre Richards, Jamicheal Yates, Jr., Malik Curry, and Isaiah Woods; nieces, Alexis Kelly, Nevaeh Kelly, Alaysia Davis, Kaniya Kelly, Reaiah Masten, Nahrae Masten, Ibreah Masten, Shan Curry, MarSha Davis, Unique Woods, and Jaleha Yates; her son’s father and friend, Miguel Dalton; second mom, Rochelle Davis Stokes; special cousins, David, Alicia, Rhonda, Katrinka, Tanitra, and Tamieka; a host of cousins and childhood friends, Diane Harris, Ericka Sharp, Geri Baker, Keisha Bates; and many other family members and friends.
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