Mary Alice Richey

Tupelo - Mary Alice Richey, 94, died Monday, April 28, 2008, at Baldwyn Nursing Facility after an extended illness. A Pontotoc County native, she was born April 10, 1914 to Earnest Preston and Mary Ellen Malone Smitherman. She grew up in the Black Zion Community and lived most of her adult life in Tupelo. She was married to Houston Richey who preceded her in death June 28, 1973. She took care of children in her home and was affectionately called Mamaw by all of them. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles and watching her grandchildren play ball. She was a member of First Assembly of God in Tupelo and will be remembered as a dedicated Christian who loved the Lord.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. Roy Lofton officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Survivors include one daughter, Sue Lindsey of Saltillo; four sons, Bobby Wayne Richey and wife, Sarah, of Brewer, Hoyt Richey and wife, Johnnie, of Tupelo, Jerry Richey and wife, Sandra, of Tupelo, and Doug Richey and wife, Ruby, of Blue Springs; eight grandchildren, Ronnie Richey of Brewer, Scottie Richey of Senatobia, Randy Richey of Tupelo, Brad Richey of Wheeler, Kevin Richey of Blue Springs, Renae Dunlap of Troy, Robin Cernigliaro, of Brewer, Suzanne Randle of Blue Springs; 17 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband 39 years, Houston Richey; a granddaughter, Jan Richey; four sisters, Dorothy Deloach, Mildred Brazil, Myrtle Cockran, and Cleo Chadwick.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Ronnie, Scottie, Randy, Brad, and Kevin Richey, and Charlie McCollum.

Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice Care, 422A East President St., Tupelo, MS 38801.