Mary Louise Richards made her transition on May 6, 2021 in Durham, North Carolina. The daughter of Emmet and Violet Mae (Williams) Shackelford, she was born in Lexington, Kentucky. She graduated from Dunbar High School in Lexington in 1939 and attended Kentucky State University in Frankfort.
Encouraged by her uncle Logan Williams Sr., she moved to Boston in 1941 in order to work in the Navy Yard as part of the World War II defense efforts. It was there that she met and subsequently married George H. Richards in 1946. They raised a family in the Roxbury and Jamaica Plains sections of Boston and later, in the suburb of Natick. During much of that time, she worked at the Mother Church of Christian Science in Boston. In 1991 they moved to Palm Bay, FL, where they joined the Riviera United Church of Christ. “Louise,” as she was known to most of her friends and family, also became an active member of the local division of TOPS, aka Take Off Pounds Sensibly. She enjoyed attending TOPS meetings and conventions and often received recognition for her persistence in reaching her goals and in supporting others to do likewise.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, George Richards, and her brother, Emmet Shackelford Jr. She leaves behind a daughter, Sandra Richards; two sons, Terrence (Sharon) and Carleton (Kathy) in addition to four grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, more than seven nieces and nephews, and three generations of cousins.
A viewing will be held at Fountainhead Funeral Home, 7359 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay Florida on Friday, May 14 starting at 11am. Fountainhead is also the location for a service beginning at 12 noon and graveside ceremony immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to Kentucky State University’s Lutisha Coleman-Morton Music Scholarship fund named after Mary Louise’s beloved first cousin. For donor cards or additional information, please contact: [email protected]
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