Elaine Delozier Richards

Elaine Delozier Richards died on August 3, 2014 at the age of 93. She had been a resident at Trinity Oaks Lutheran Home since August of 2012. Elaine, the eldest child of Dean and Elizabeth Delozier, was born on August 9, 1920 in Altoona, PA. During her teenage years in McKeesport and later in Altoona, Elaine loved to frequent the summer dance halls that featured big band music. Following her high school graduation in1938, she came to Catawba College to study elementary education. One evening at a canteen, a football player who had been walking by her dorm window on his way to football practice whistling, “You are the only star in my blue heaven,” asked her to dance, and the true romance of both their lifetimes began. Following her graduation from Catawba College, Elaine married Marion “Chub” Richards on August 6, 1943. Throughout their married lives Chub and Elaine were devoted to careers in education, First United Church of Christ, Catawba College, the Salisbury Rowan community, and Civitan at the local, state, and national levels. Elaine taught second grade for 25 years starting at Rockwell Elementary School, Wiley Elementary School but spending most of her teaching career at Hurley Elementary School. In 1974-75, Elaine was granted special permission from the school system to serve as the “First Lady of Civitan” and join her husband in his service as President of Civitan International. This was a memorable year of travel, special events, and meeting new people. Elaine and Chub celebrated their 50th Anniversary by restating their vows at the Catawba College Omwake Dearborn Chapel followed by a reception with family and friends in the Crystal Lounge. When Chub passed away in 2004, they had been married for 61 years. After retirement, together they worked tirelessly in support of some their favorite charities including Meals on Wheels, Victory Junction, and the Special Olympics. Always a coach’s wife at heart, Elaine remained a member of the Catawba Chiefs Club and attended football games whenever her health allowed, otherwise listening to them on the radio. Throughout her life, Elaine most deeply treasured her relationships with people: her family; the Catawba community; her students, fellow teachers, and staff at Hurley School; her many friends in the Civitan organization; the members of First United Church of Christ and most especially her Church Circle 7, and the Prime Timers; her bridge and book clubs; and her friends in the Catawba water aerobics class. Elaine is survived by her children, Rebecca Ament and husband Greg of Worthington, OH and Dean Richards and wife Sue of Charlotte, NC, her grandchildren Greg Ament Jr. of Corvallis, OR, John Ament of Worthington, OH, and Jessica Richards of Charlotte, NC and her three great-grandchildren Mitchell, Blake, and Logan Ament, sons of John and Tammy Ament. Service: Saturday, August 9th at 10:00am at the Omwake Dearborn Chapel, Catawba College conducted by Rev. Ken Clapp, Chaplain at Catawba College and Rev. Carol Hallman, Minister of First United Church of Christ. Visitation: Friday, August 8th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, Summersett Funeral Home. Memorials: In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to: The Marion M. Richards/Salisbury Civitan Club Scholarship at Catawba College, 2300 W Innes St, Salisbury, NC or Salisbury Civitan Club Foundation, P.O. Box 171, Salisbury, NC or First United Church of Christ, 207 W Horah St, Salisbury, NC.

Elaine Delozier Richards

August 9, 1920 - August 3, 2014