Mary (Beth) Richards
1959 ~ 2017


Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Richards passed away on May 28, 2017 in Maryville. The daughter of R. E. (Bob) and Ann Richards, Beth was born in Chappell, Nebraska, on May 23, 1959. She attended high school there, graduating valedictorian of her class.

She attended college at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, where she earned her B.A., graduating summa cum laude. She attained her M.A. and Ph. D. degrees at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Since 1993, Beth had been affiliated with Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. She had been an associate professor in the English department since 1999. Her areas of specialization were women's Studies and Modern British and American Literature. During her tenure at the university, she held numerous positions including coeditor of the Laurel Review and Chair of the English Department. During her time with the university, she presented papers at numerous conferences throughout the United States. She recently retired from the university after 24 years of teaching.

At one time, Beth was quite an avid golfer. She was a voracious reader, she enjoyed movies, celebrating birthdays with friends, organizing events for friends and coworkers, and spending time with her family.

Beth was preceded in death by her parents, R.E. and Ann Richards; her maternal grandparents, Clifford and Grace Gowens; and her paternal grandparents, E. O. and Frances Richards.

She is survived by her brothers, Greg Richards and his wife, Jeannie, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Steve Richards and his wife, Mary, of Harrison, Arkansas; nephews Michael Richards of Sioux Falls, Aaron Richards from Springfield, Missouri; nieces Jennifer Lunders of Sioux Falls; and Abby Richards from Austin, Texas. She is also survived by longtime friends Brenda Ryan and Chanda Funston.

Cremation has occured and a memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, July 1, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church, Maryville.

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