Marva Lou Richards

Marva Lou Rice Jenkins Rupert Richards, age 85, of Jackson, Ohio passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, October 15, 2016. She was born in Salyersville, Kentucky on March 31, 1931 to the late John Marvin Rice and Gladys Conley Rice Green. Marva was a well known teacher for over 35 years teaching in the Jackson City School district as well as in the Columbus City Schools. She was very active in many civic organizations throughout the years where she volunteered countless hours. Marva was a longtime member of the Grace United Methodist Church and most recently attended the Antioch Christian Church as her health permitted. Marva was a talented artist and faithfully supported the Markay Cultural Arts Center. Marva loved her family deeply and always set examples for them to follow of hard work, perseverance, generosity and kindness. She was known to her grandchildren, great grandchildren and many others as "Gram". Marva is survived by husband Alfred Richards, daughter Sally (Greg) Fields and son Don (Karen) Jenkins. Also surviving are grandchildren Kyle (Marty) Exline, Kristin (Josh) Mauer, Shelley (Jason) Brown, Morgan (Kelly) Washam, DJ Washam, Braxton Jenkins and Austin Jenkins. 12 great grandchildren survive: Katie and Ryan Exline, Keely, Teagan and Jasper Mauer, Haydn, Norah, Thatcher, Phoebe and Rhetting Brown and Willow and Meadow Washam. Marva is survived by sisters Sara Andrews, Fannie Bregant, Mary Anne Whaley, Sue (Paul) House and Vicki (Jim) Stewart as well as brothers Bill (Marilyn) Green and Paul (Candee) Green. She is survived by special sisters in law Janet Hyden and Edith Jenkins and many loving nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children, Donald Jenkins, 2nd husband Joseph Rupert, daughter Patty Sue Washam, and infant grandson Jon Bradley Fields. Also, preceded in death by step father Dudley Green and brothers George Green, Bert Green, Robert Rice, Dudley Green, Jr., L.J. Green, Danny Green and sisters Thelma Jean Rice, Patty Jo Green, Nettie Summers, Martha Litteral, Della Chapman and Sandy Souders. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 19, 2016 from 2-8 pm at the Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home in Jackson with funeral service on Thursday, October 20 at 11:00 am at the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor Jim Stewart, Pastor Janie Karl and Rev. Larry Boggs. Burial will follow at Fairmount Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Markay Cultural Arts Center in Marva's memory. Funeral services are under the direction of the Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home.

Marva Lou Richards

March 31, 1931 - October 15, 2016