Mona Martin Richards

Mona Martin Richards of Birmingham, Alabama, joined her Heavenly Father on January 18, 2018, at 12:48 a.m. She had just celebrated her 85th birthday the day after Christmas. Born in Sage, Arkansas, on December 26, 1932, Mona was the oldest of six children born to Mary Bryant Martin and Elbert Alfred Martin. Life was challenging in this rural Ozarks community that was hit hard during The Great Depression—two of her siblings died very young, and Mona assumed great responsibility in the family.

On a recent trip back home in 2016, Mona recalled with great fondness and detail the small white house where she grew up. She found the house with her daughter, and the schoolhouse next door on the hill still stands. Mona said, “I remember being so scared of going into that great big building by myself! Now it looks so small.” Once a thriving town, Sage now has only a fraction of the population.

Mona attended Monticello High School in Arkansas, where she was a star on the girls’ basketball team. She attended every reunion the school had, frequently serving on the planning or hostess committees. She was looking forward to the upcoming reunion this summer.

In early adulthood, Mona was an active member of the Garden Club, and she had a lifelong talent for gathering flowers from her own yard to make stunning centerpieces that rivaled any florist, and she was an excellent seamstress. While Teresa grew up, she was a Girl Scout leader and room mother. She loved the outdoors, birds, and all sorts of crafting. She had a gift for encouraging others. Rhonda recalls that when she graduated college and her mother pinned an honors badge on her, she said, “Never apologize for who you are.” As an empty-nester, she became active in the Ozark Trail Association. At least twice a year—sometimes more—she and her friends would travel to the Ozarks and clear away debris that may have fallen across the trails. Notably, she was the designated campfire cook, as she could cook a fine meal even in the most primitive of circumstances. Mona retired from The North Jefferson News in 1997, where she worked as Advertising Manager. Her greatest joys were spending time with family and friends, sharing a home-cooked meal and telling stories. She led an active life; she enjoyed socializing with friends at the Center Point Senior Center, and she loved SEC football.

Mona is preceded in death by her son, Linn Fowler Richards, and his elder son, Christopher Eric Richards. She is survived by her daughters, Teresa Richards Jacobs (Paul) and their son, John Alexander Jacobs (Katherine); and Rhonda Lee Lother (William). She is also survived by Linn’s other two children, Adam Scott Richards and Andrea Richards Burrell, and her daughter-in-law, Debra Richards; her great-grandchildren, Ellie Burrell and Adam Chace Richards; her brother, Tommie J. Martin (Mary); sister-in-law, Elaine Martin; and sister-in-law Virginia Richards Weaver (William).

A memorial service will be held at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel (1500 Gadsden Hwy. Birmingham, AL 35235) on Sunday, January 21, at 3 p.m, with visitation beginning at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the King’s Home (kingshome.com/give), or one’s favorite charity.