FORT LAWN, SC –Mr. Richard "Ricky" Paris Waits, age 74, passed away Thursday, March 7, 2024. He was born December 17, 1949, a son of the late Richard Lorenze Waits and the late Evelyn Ghent "Nannie" Waits and was the loving husband of Dianne Whitaker Waits. Mr. Waits was the epitome of a God-fearing family man. He loved the Lord and his family more than anything. To know him was to love him. Mr. Waits was an avid Gamecock fan. He enjoyed fishing, attending auctions, taking his grandchildren to the pond, and watching them play sports. He never missed a Lewisville Lions home game. Mr. Waits was a member of Fort Lawn Baptist Church. During his time as a member he served as a deacon, Sunday school director, Sunday school secretary, brotherhood director, and served on the baptism committee and house of grounds committee. He was also very active in the senior citizens club at the Fort Lawn Community Center.

Mr. Waits is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Dianne Waits; his children, Cynthia W. Santner (Bob), and Chris Waits (Angel); six grandchildren, Autumn W. Cauthen (Jay), Zack K. Santner (Emory Beer), Summer S. Waits (Kenyon Stone), Tyler J. Santner, Richard B. Waits, and Spring A. Waits; two great-grandchildren, Jayden and Bryson Cauthen; two bonus grandchildren, Nick and Devin Hastings; his sister, Evelyn "Charlie" Keener (Billy); his mother-in-law, Eva Mae Hood; his brother-in-law, Dwayne Morgan; three sisters-in-law, Julia Waits, Elaine Carey, and Marie Hines (Tom); and a large extended family.

He was preceded in death by his son, "Little Richard" Richard Henry Waits; his brother, Kim Thomas Waits; three sisters, Linda D. Smith (Pat), Brenda C. Morgan, and Wanda W. Booth; and his brother-in-law, Cliff Carey.

The Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Mr. Waits will be 3:00 pm Sunday, March 10, 2024 at Fort Lawn Baptist Church officiated by Dr. Ted Hodges, Rev. Larry Helm, Dr. Jackie Jenkins, and his grandson, Zack Santner. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Burgess Funeral Home and at other times at the home of Richard and Dianne Waits. In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, memorials may be made to Fort Lawn Baptist Church, 5742 Church St, Fort Lawn, SC 29714 or to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org.