Ruth Nichols Richards

Ruth Nichols Richards, 89, of Mount Airy passed away on January 4, 2024, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home. She was born in Surry County on July 3, 1934, to Merlin and Bertha Marshall Nichols, the eldest of five children. Ruth graduated from White Plains High School and was valedictorian of her high school graduating class. She attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and received a degree in secretarial science. In 1954 she married Swanson Richards, who was a teacher and coach at White Plains High School. Ruth worked in several secretarial positions in Mt. Airy and in Florida, where she moved to be with her husband while he attended graduate school. Ruth dreamed of furthering her education with the goal of encouraging children to read and continue their studies. As an adult she began attending Surry Community College and became a dedicated student. Ruth continued her education at Appalachian State University and completed a Bachelor of Science in library science and a Master of Science in reading. She was employed by both the Mt. Airy City and Surry County Schools, where she was a school media specialist. Ruth was a member of Central United Methodist Church, a charter member of Chapter AK, P.E.O., a board member of the Surry County Historical Society, a board member of the Mt. Airy Public Library, and was a volunteer at the Mt. Airy Museum of History. She is survived by her husband of sixty-nine years, Dr. Swanson Richards; a daughter Anne Richards Hennis and husband Jeffrey; Sisters, Merle Nichols Tedder (Ron); Nancy Nichols Dawson; and Penny Nichols Chilton, along with several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Richards was preceded in death by a brother, Warren Nichols. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Ridgecrest and the staff of the Woltz Hospice Home for their devoted and loving care. A memorial service will be held at Central United Methodist Church, Sunday, January 14, 2:00 PM with Rev. Danny Miller officiating. A private interment for the family will be at White Plains Friends Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Moody Funeral Service of Mount Airy, NC.