Edna “Pete” Richards

Edna “Pete” Richards, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend passed away unexpectedly Friday, September 30, 2022 after a brief illness. She was born in Cleveland County on May 14, 1936 to Otis & Macie Mull.

Known by "Pete" by all her family and friends, she never met a stranger. She welcomed everyone with a smile, a hug, and a warm greeting. She was always the last to leave any gathering, Jerry always said Pete was doing her goodbye tour before they could leave any function.

Pete was employed as a dental assistant at Broughton Hospital prior to taking early retirement that allowed her to spend more time with her beloved Jerry. She was thankful for the years that she and Jerry had prior to his death and continued to remain friends with their camping buddies, the motorcycle gang, and members of the sheriffs association to the day she died.

In addition to her parents, she finally joins her beloved husband, Jerry E. Richards; son, Stephen Richards; and sister, Louise Pendleton Ferree.

Those left to carry on her memory include her son, Tracy E. Richards (Lynn); grandchildren: Bradley E. Richards (Pamela), Jill E. Richards, and Katie L. Richards; great grandchildren: Taylor J. Richards, Jeremiah Richards, Oliver Richards, all of Morganton; brother-in-law, Harvey Ferree of Shelby, NC; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

While her family was always small in numbers, her extended family included all the children at El Bethel Baptist Church that called her "Grandma Pete."  She served as Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir.  Pete loved her sisters of the heart and her cohorts: Billie Netherton, Amy Kincaid, and Renee Whisenant, and so many others she held close to her heart that remained cherished friends.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., Thursday, October 6, 2022 at El Bethel Baptist Church. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. in the church with the Rev. Justin Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to El Bethel Baptist Church, PO Box 2518, Morganton, NC 28680.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.