Deke Richards

Mr. Deke Richards, 71 of Gainesville passed away on  Friday February 27, 2015 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Deke was born October 9, 1943 in Augusta, Georgia, but had lived in Hall County for most of  his life.  He was the son of the late James Dewey and Mary Pierce Richards.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church on Green Street.  Deke volunteered with the Olympics and many other worthwhile causes.   A graduate of Gainesville High School Class of 1963, Deke was a member of the football team and various other campus organizations. Deke coached Lyman Hall School's first football team in 1968.  Deke was a graduate of Piedmont College with a degree in physchology and sociology.  He was a member of the Georgia National Guard during the Vietnam era.  Retired from the City of Gainesville as a social worker, Deke had over 37 years of service.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Richards, Gainesville; daughters and sons-in-law, Michelle and Jesse Allen Carter, Sr., Gainesville; Deidre and Lance Buford, Spring, Texas; Suzanne McCann, Spring Texas; grandchildren, Terry Maston Van Atten, III, Parker McCann, Griffin McCann and Brecket McCann; Jesse Allen Carter, Jr., (Jack); sister, Jo Purcell, Gainesville; sister and brother-in-law. Beth and Phillip R. Sutton, Clarkesville; brother, Michael Richards, Gainesville, and a large extended family filled with many wonderful nieces, nephews and their families.

A Celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday March 5, 2015 at the First Baptist Church on Green Street. Dr. Bill Coates and Rev. Bruce Fields will officiate.  Inurnment will be  in the columbarium at the church.  The family will receive friends at the church after the service.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to Our Faith Our Story, c/o First Baptist Church, 751 Green Street, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 or ones favorite charity in memory of Deke.

The family sincerely appreciates the prayers from the family and friends of Mr. Richards. We are grateful for the fine quality of care received from the staff of Northeast Ga. Medical Center.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements 770-534-5201.

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