Edith was born on August 24th, 1925 to her parents Walter Clarence Huddleston and Bertha Swallows
Huddleston of Algood, Tennessee. She was a seventh generation Huddleston of Putnam County. At
an early age she loved music and sang for anyone who asked. She attended school in Algood, Buffalo
Valley, and graduated from high school in Detroit Michigan at Eastern High.
In June of 1944 she went to work in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to work in the government effort to end
World War 2. In 1947 she was asked by the division she worked for, the Atomic Energy Commission, to
represent them by entering the Miss Oak Ridge contest. She won the contest, and was photographed
by well-known photographer Ed Wescott when she was crowned. These photos have become part of
the archive of historical images related to Oak Ridge and WW2.
While in Oak Ridge, she met her husband, Jerome (Jerry) Richmond, Sr. in a true love story. They
were married June 21st, 1947 and moved to Memphis, Tennessee a year later. A devoted Christian at
an early age, Edith and Jerry were members of St. Luke’s Methodist Church and raised their children
in the church. Edith was active in her church, her children’s schools, her neighborhood and civic clubs.
She was a homemaker and loving mother for 15 years as her children grew up. She was a talented,
self taught seamstress, cook, and loved gardening her entire life.
In 1973 she returned to a government position with the Internal Revenue Service until 1986. In 1988
she and Jerry relocated in Nashville, Tennessee to be near their children. Her three children and
grandchildren were her greatest pride. Edith and Jerry became members of Forest Hills United Methodist
Church in Brentwood.
Throughout her life she created and maintained many friendships with her Algood, Oak Ridge, Memphis
and Nashville friends. She treasured those friendships, and never missed an opportunity to
brighten someone’s day with a long letter, a call, a special gift, or just her gift for listening.
Edith was preceded in death, in 2013, by her devoted husband of 65 years, Jerome Perkins Richmond,
Sr. She is survived by her loving older sister, Edna Gore of Algood, Tennessee; her beloved
children Jerry Richmond, Jr. (Sheila), Donna Richmond (Scott), Mark Richmond (Melissa). She is also
survived by 7 grandchildren whom she adored, Mark Richmond (Tyla) and baby to come, Joy Richmond,
Leah Richmond, Lauren Williams, Mark Richmond, Jr., William Richmond, and Emma Richmond.
In addition, she leaves her dear nephews and niece, Harold Gore, Gerald Gore, and Brenda Richardson,
and their spouses and children.
The family would also like to express their thanks to her special friends, Jenny Moles (and the late Bill
Moles), Kevin and Debbie Taylor, Rhonda and Condit Steil, Karen and Tom Firestone and their family.
Gathering of family and friends will begin at twelve thirty in the afternoon Saturday, September 21st, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at two thirty in Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Tennessee School for the Blind at: http://www.friendsoftsb.org/
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