Edward Richards
Edward Settle Richards, 88, of Chattanooga, died on Friday, May 1, 2015, at his home.
He was the son of the late James and Bessie Richards of Knoxville. His wife, Laura T. Richards, sisters-in-law, Anne G. Richards, Aurelia “Red Bird” James, Ludie Tatum; brothers-in-law, George “Chubby” James and Judson D. Tatum Jr.; nephew, Adrian Tatum and niece, Jacqueline Minor preceded him in death.
Edward, a retired TVA employee of 36 years of service, made his home in Chattanooga 65 years ago. He was born in Paducah, Ky., and at an early age his family moved to Knoxville. In 1944, he finished Austin High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society.
He graduated from Hampton (Institute) University with honors in 1949 with a degree in building construction. While at Hampton, Edward took a serious interest in photography and worked with the campus photographer. From 1954-56, Edward served in the Army Corp of Engineers as a draftsman. Upon discharge, he received a letter of commendation and exemplary service from the post Ccmmander.
Edward and his family were members of Jack and Jill of America. Edward designed the national logo; it is still being used by the organization. He was also a Connecting Link of the Chattanooga Chapter of Links, Inc. He held a life membership in the Photographic Society of Chattanooga where he served as treasurer, salon chairman and president. Also, he was a member of the Photographic Society of America and the Association for Visual Arts. His exceptional photographs have been hung in several salons in the Tri-State area and have received many awards. One of Edwards’s proudest accomplishments was a published photograph in a book, Chattanooga, the Renaissance City.
Edward was a former member of the Church of Reconciliation (Presbyterian) where he worshipped and served God for many years. There, he was an elder and chairman of the Building Committee. In 1981, he joined Thompkin Chapel AME Zion Church, his wife’s childhood church. There, he served on the Usher Board, the Trustee Board, and the Board of Stewards. For the last nine years, Edward was a member of Washington Hill United Methodist Church, his childhood domination.
Survivors include his only child, daughter, Aurelia (David) Jenkins; brother, Paul T. Richards of Nellysford, Va.; grandsons, Edwin Jones of New York, NY; Edmund Clark, of Chattanooga; nieces, Rosilyn (Richard) Martin of Topeka, Ks., and Adeline Tatum of Kansas City, Mo.; other great-nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family expresses a special thank you to Erika Johnson, caretaker, and Hospice of Chattanooga for their excellent care and attention.
Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, May 8, at Washington Hills United Methodist Church with the Reverend Bobby Black officiating.
Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The body will lie in state after noon on Thursday, May 7, and family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.