Mary Kinard Richards

Mary Kinard Gibson Richards was born in Charlotte, North Carolina to the late Clarkie Kinard, Sr. and Mattie Cason Kinard. She came to Washington, DC with her parents and three siblings when the family relocated in 1942. As a child she was fondly called the ?Big Apple?, always full of energy, fun and laughter. Her life story later would chronicle more than 25 years of rheumatoid arthritis and complications. Supported by a strong faith in God, however, she would not complain but rejoice that she made the transition through Christ to her eternal home in heaven. Always congenial and a person of strong perseverance, Mary graduated from Dunbar High School. She enrolled in the District of Columbia Teachers College, met and married Lawrence M. Gibson, Sr., gave birth to their two children, and managed to obtain her degree while both were toddlers. She later married LaMar Richards, Sr., and had two children from this union. Mary was always reading, learning, and teaching. As her illness advanced she taught us how to accept whatever is our circumstance, even to the point of death. Her early disability retirement as a District of Columbia Public School teacher enabled her to spend innumerable hours tutoring the neighborhood children and family members, as well as her own children. For others it provided many special hours of fellowship and counseling that re-enforced the family values and religious training. Mary grew up in Galbraith A.M.E. Zion Church. She contributed a rich alto voice to the youth choir. A faithful worker in the church, she served as director of children and taught Sunday school for many years. In 1990 she joined First A.M.E. Zion Church of Silver Spring now First Agape. Mary Kinard Gibson Richards leaves a legacy of love for her family and friends. She is cherished in memory by daughter Rita Durrah Dorian, sons Lawrence Gibson, Jr. Denise, LaMar H. Richards, Jr. Donna, and Marc K. Richards Keisha; siblings Antonell Aikens-Thompson James, Clarkie Kinard, Jr. Georgia, Rev. Stewart K. Jones, Dennis R. Kinard Barbara, and Yvonne J. Green; grandchildren Jerome J.B., Megan, Lawrence Charles, Brittany, Darrius, Courtlant, Troy, Jasmine, Zachary, Zoe and Jayla; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. To send a lasting tribute or condolences to the Richards family, please sign the Online Guestbook below. Click "Sign Guestbook".

Tributes

Mary Kinard Richards

November 8, 1936 - August 4, 2006