Jill Richard Saigusa

11th, 2024 at age 61 in the care of Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. She was born to Wayne and

Evadean Richard on August 23rd, 1962 in Birmingham, Alabama. Jill graduated from Fairfield High School in Birmingham, AL in 1980 where she participated in the marching band drumline and helped run the family drugstore, Ensley Apothecary. She attended Birmingham Southern University where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in English, and went on to pursue her Master’s in English Literature. She married and relocated with her Husband, Makoto Saigusa, to San Antonio, Texas in 1991 where she began teaching special education. In 1997, the couple relocated to Tyler, TX where she continued her teaching career at Winona High School and began writing for BSCENE Magazine. Jill's legacy is one of kindness, compassion, and love. Known for her loving and caring heart, Jill touched the lives of many students, friends, and family. Her spirit continues to inspire us to be better, to love more, and to embrace the world with open hearts.

She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Makoto Saigusa; sisters, Leigh

Caglarsu and her husband, Fevzi, Julie Maddox and her husband, Michael; two sons, Jack and John Saigusa; and nephews, Tyler Caglarsu, Hunter Maddox and wife, Amanda.

A time of visitation and fellowship will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, January 19, 2024 at Lloyd James Funeral Home.