Hattye Helen Margaret Benton Richards was born April 1, 1932, in Covington, GA, to Feb and Eula (Adams) Benton. The oldest of two children, she was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Sadie (Benton) Shields, and her husband, Lawrence A. Richards.

Hattye valued education from an early age, beginning college at just 16 and graduating from Clark Atlanta University in 1952. In 1954, she married Lawrence Richards, and together they raised six children in Cleveland, Ohio.

Throughout her career, Hattye worked for the Cleveland Municipal School District and University Hospitals for more than 13 years. She worked for the Cuyahoga County Department of Children Services for more than 20 years before retiring.

With six children and a long career, Hattye lived a full and busy life. In quieter moments, she enjoyed music, especially Gladys Knight and Nancy Wilson.

Hattye leaves to cherish her memory her six children: Donna Richards Fountain, Diane Richards, David Richards, Debra Richards Greene, Denise Richards Rowe (Nelson Rowe), and Danny Richards (Lea Richards); ten grandchildren: Monica Fountain, Qiana Todd (Paul Todd), Aaron Greene, Nicholas Greene (Mary Greene), Matthew Greene, DeAndre Richards, Nautica Richards, Eric Rowe (Vanessa Rowe), Nicole Rowe, and Lauren Rowe; and six great-grandchildren: Ryan Henderson, Jaylin Henderson, Londyn Abraham, Jordin Todd, Kennedy Todd, and Murphy Rowe.

She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Geraldine Evans, her first cousin, Herman Baker Jr. (Linda Baker), and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Hattye was a cornerstone of her family, and her legacy of strength, love, and devotion to family will live on through the generations she leaves behind.