Norma Agnes Richards

Norma Fayard Richards, 92, went to be with the Lord September 28, 2011 at her home in Biloxi, MS. She succumbed to complications related to heart disease. Family members were present at the bedside. Mrs. Richards was born in Biloxi on February 6, 1919 and remained a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast and member of the First United Methodist Church. She was always a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed cooking for the holiday family meals. She shared her talent and artistry with ceramics with everyone for many years. The family will miss the emotional support, encouragement and her smile. She is in heaven now, but will forever remain in our hearts. She is preceded in death by the love of her life and husband, Ben A. Richards of Biloxi; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fayard of Biloxi; two brothers, Louis Fayard of Ocean Springs and O. L. "Nookie" Fayard of Biloxi; two sisters, Irwin (Howard) Barnett of Biloxi and Shirley (Upton) Gautier of Ocean Springs; one niece, Sherry Sullivan and two nephews, Oswald and Andy Fayard. She is survived by five children, Ben A. (Wallis Ann) Richards IV of Granbury, TX, Norma Jane Richards of Biloxi, Robert R. Richards (Raylene Abernathy) of Gulfport, William C. (Vickie) Richards of Milledgeville, GA and Larry B. (Donna) Richards of Woolmarket, MS. Mrs. Richards has seven surviving grandchildren, Ben A. Richards V of Arlington, TX, Deborah Lynn (James) Foy of Cincinnati, OH, Robert (Kerry) Richards, Jr. of Hattiesburg, MS, Michael B. Richards of New Orleans, LA, W. C. Richards, Jr. of Pearl River Community, Timothy and Kenneth Richards of Milledgeville, GA. She also had four great-grandchildren, Ben A. Richards VI and Alexander Richards of Ft. Smith, AR, Micah Medell and Daniel Foy of Cincinnati, OH. Twelve nephews and five nieces also survive Mrs. Richards. The family wishes to thank, Sarah Johnson whose nursing care and nocturnal visits made a difference every day, Barbara Brindley for her continued assistance and support, Deaconess Hospice especially, Susan Valenti, Mary Thompson, Rev. Grant McLean and Karen Zittleman, Dr. John McKee III, Dr. Paul Pavlov, Dr. Chris Shelby, Dr. Eva Magiros and Cindy Green, Dr. Lennon Bowen and staff, PRN Healthcare especially Pam and Gloria. Funeral services will be on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Biloxi. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow in Coalville Cemetery.