Betty Ratcliffe Richardson, 78, of Wilmington, died Sunday, February 28, 2016, at The Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center.
She was born October 29, 1937, in Radford, Va., the daughter of the late Jesse H. and Dora Mae Alderman Ratcliffe. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Charlie, Covvie and Carl Ratcliffe, and one sister, Doris Hughes.
Mrs. Richardson was a member of College Acres Baptist Church for over 40 years where she was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the choir, served on the personnel committee and active in senior ministries. She was past president of the Christian Women’s Club of Wilmington and a guest speaker at numerous Christian women’s clubs throughout the state.
In earlier years, she was an active participant in the Lions Club Ladies Auxiliary and served as president.
Mrs. Richardson retired from Cape Fear Community College after many years, serving as a teacher, interim dean and financial aid director. She established a scholarship fund in honor of her father to help single women pursue higher education.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Ray Richardson; two daughters, Brenda Richardson, and her husband, Steve Bridges, and Donna Richardson of Wilmington; four grandchildren, Monaca Lachman, and her husband, Jerry, Melissa Biggs, and her husband, Douglas, Joe Frankie and Chris Parker; five great grandchildren, Cole Lachman, Tanner Lachman, Collin Parker, Louise Biggs and Bruce Biggs.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, at College Acres Baptist Church with Pastor Robert Keatts officiating. Interment will follow in Oleander Memorial Gardens.
The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Trinity Grove and Lower Cape Fear Hospice for their loving care.
Memorials may be made to The Lower Cape Fear Hospice or College Acres Baptist Church.
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