SGT Richard Breland

Richard was a man of quiet strength, deep integrity, and boundless love. He was born on July 11, 1961 from the late Carlyle Breland and Ruth Jenkison in Walterboro, South Carolina. He departed this life on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at Cape Fear Valley Hospital. Richard grew up in Walterboro, South Carolina. As a young adult, he developed a love of cooking, working on cars, and caring for others. He graduated from Walterboro High School. After high school, in the early 1980’s, he moved to Long Island, New York. While in New York, he connected with family members and lived with his Uncle William (deceased) and Brenda Pinckney. He answered the call to serve his country with courage and honor, spending almost 20 years in the United States Army and Reserves. Through every deployment and duty station, he carried with him a sense of responsibility, loyalty, and pride in the uniform he wore. He proudly served in Operation Desert Storm. Richard also was a respected officer at the North Carolina Department of Corrections for 18 ½ years. Above all, Richard was a family man. He met Janet, the love of his life, and married on October 1, 1983. To this blessed union, five children were born. Together, they instilled in them the values of resilience, compassion, and hard work. He was the rock of his household, a steady presence who provided unwavering support, wisdom, and warmth. Richard’s legacy is not only marked by his service, but the countless small moments that made him extraordinary- a reassuring hug, a joke shared that lightened the room. Though he may be gone from our sight, he will never be gone from our hearts. We love you Richard. Your duty is done–rest now in peace. Along with his parents, Richard is preceded in death by his grandson, Prince Breland and eldest brother, Yerbydean Breland. He is survived by his wife, Janet ( Blowe) Breland, his children, Ricky of Hope Mills, NC, Michael (Harmonee) of Hope Mills, NC, Joshua of Washington, D.C, Alishia of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Ashley of Alexandria, Virginia, eight grandchildren: Kianna, Kendall, Bryten, Harlan, Kiyon, Langston, Saryah, Gabriel; four siblings: Cheryl Jenkison (William) of North Brunswick, New Jersey, Angela Jackson (Tashon) of Westhampton, New Jersey, Gene Breland of Orangeburg, South Carolina, and Gregory “Greg” Breland (Safiyyah) of Newark, New Jersey. Richard has a host of nieces and nephews, in-laws, and family and friends.

SGT Richard Breland

July 11, 1961 - April 6, 2025