Michelle Marie Richards

Charlotte - Michelle, 41, of Charlotte passed away unexpectedly on the morning of December 27, 2014. Michelle was born on September 6, 1973 in Charlotte, the only daughter of Carol and Chuck Richards of Charlotte.

After graduating from South Mecklenburg High School, Michelle gained an Insurance and Risk Management Degree from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. She was pursuing a career in the insurance industry at the time of her passing.

Michelle was a striking young woman with a beautiful soul who never met a stranger. Her smile was contagious, and a giving sweet demeanor won the trust and hearts of those she touched. Michelle enjoyed traveling, was an avid runner and never missed her Georgia Bulldog’s football games. Family and friends were her passion.

Michelle is survived by her parents; her older brother, Geoffrey Richards, his wife Becky King Richards and their children Madelyn and Will of Orlando, Florida; and by her younger brother, Brian Richards, his wife Emily Norman Richards and their daughter, Claire of Charlotte. Also surviving is her fiancé, Richard Barber and their dog, Lilly.

A celebration of Michelle’s life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1623 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226 at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 2, 2015, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Michelle’s memory may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church or Anuvia, at either www.anuvia.org or Anuvia Prevention & Recovery Center, 100 Billingsley Rd., Charlotte 28211.

For those attending the service, to honor Michelle’s memory, the family requests that everyone wear bright colors.