HICKORY – Maurice Franklin Richards, 87 of Hickory passed away on December 10, 2009 at Brian Center.
Born Oct. 28, 1922 in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Frank G. and Etta Poovey Richards.
Mr. Richards served his country during WWII in the U. S. Army Artillery in the Pacific Theater. After the war he returned home and worked as an ornamental brick mason and retired from G. S. Fiber after 20 years of service. He was a member of Sandy Ridge Wesleyan Church, where he has served as a Trustee and a Board Member.
He loved people, fixing things and fishing. A meticulous man, he was devoted to his family, his friends and his God.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen Davis Richards; brothers, G. C. "Mutt" Richards and Jack Richards; and sisters, Helen Paschall, Kathryn Teague, Eula Mae Landis, Ailene "Sis" Mullen and Hazel Teague.
Survivors include, son, Max Dene Richards and wife, Betty of Conover; daughters, Rita Richards of Hickory and LaRae Richards Coile and husband, David of Lakeland, FL; sister, Muriel Hefner of Statesville; brother, James "Tince" Richards of Granite Falls; five grandchildren, Richard Coile, Hank Cathey, Billy Cathey, Angie Eckard and Dusty Richards; two great-grandchildren, David Coile and Ryan Coile; and very special friends, Aubrey and Elizabeth Riley.
A celebration of life service will be held at Sandy Ridge Wesleyan Church in Hickory on Sunday, December 13th at 3 p.m. with Pastor Jay Scott Howard and Rev. J. V. Allen officiating. The family will receive friends one-hour prior to the service at the church.
Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by American Legion Post #48.
Memorials may be made to Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658 or Gideon's International, 433 N. Main Avenue, Newton, NC 28658.