Grace Eileen Richards

Grace Eileen Richards, 89 of Jackson, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 30th, 2023 at her home in West Chester, Ohio surrounded by love. She was born December 19, 1933 in Jackson, Ohio to the late Milton Esto and Grace Ellen Howe Freeland Ferguson. In 1952 Eileen graduated from Jackson High School and soon after married the love of her life, Harold A. Richards, on January 8th, 1955. Throughout the years she was employed with Banquet Foods, First National Bank, Keith’s Men Shop and other retail. She loved people and learned to take care of others at a very early age. In 1987 she began her babysitting career with her husband by her side and together they cared for more children than we can count. She considered them all “her kids” and they were considered family. There was always room for one more! While taking care of all those kids, she loved to bake pies for so many…her famous award-winning apple pie with every slice of apple layered perfectly and her pecan pie with every nut turned right side up and in a precise circle. There was nothing she couldn’t bake and was willing to do it at moments notice for anyone in town! She was a life long member of Grace United Methodist Church in Jackson, Order of the Eastern Star and the Ancient & Honorable Order of the Turtles. She is survived by her son: James Allen (Melinda) Richards, daughter: Tracey (Brian) Jones and Daughter-In-Law Mary Jane Richards, sisters: Leila Frances Harper and Jerry Lee (Glenn) Litton, grandchildren: Miranda (Curtis) Green, Kristin Richards and Olivia Grayson Jones, great-grandchildren: Carlee (Chase Burdine) Lewis, Madison Lewis, Mallory Green, Caitlyn Green, Damon Green, Lily Green, JJ Brunton and Paige Brunton, great-great grandchildren: Taysom Burdine and Blair Burdine. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and all the special kids and their families she cared for over the years since 1987. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Harold A. Richards, son: Bruce Arthur Richards, brothers: James Lee Freeland, Richard Harold Freeland and Ralph Ferguson, sisters: Ethel Marie Wyant, Betty Lou Brunton and Sharen Juanita Parks. The family will receive friends at the Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023 from 2pm to 6pm. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 4th, 2023 at 11am with Rev. Wendell Vermillion officiating with burial to follow in the Fairmount Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Eileen’s name can be made to: The Jackson County Heart Support Group, C/O Becky Mayhew, 215 Broad Street, Jackson, Ohio 45640. Condolences may be sent to: www.mayhewbrownfuneralhome.com

Grace Eileen Richards

December 19, 1933 - November 30, 2023