Emily Gracey Richards

Emily was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Royce Eston Richards, who died in 1995. She is survived by daughters Sharon Richards Chilton and Melinda Richards Sherrill; grandchildren, Robert H. Chilton IV and Courtenay Chilton Cline (Chad), five great grandchildren, Robert Gilmore Chilton, Ashley Elizabeth Chilton, Caroline Campbell Cline, Charles Davies Cline III and Richards Harrison Cline, all of Nashville; a sister, Willogene Gracey Ervin of Edgewood, KY and several nieces and nephews.

In 1943, after graduating from White County High School, Emily postponed college, as did so many young women of the era, choosing to support the war effort. She took a job with Tennessee Eastman Corporation in the rations division at Y-12 in Oak Ridge, TN. The then fenced-in town that was shrouded in secrecy, is now acknowledged in U.S. history as instrumental in developing the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, marking the end of WWII.

Married in 1945, Emily and Royce began their life together in Norfolk, VA where he was stationed at Norfolk Naval Air Station and served as a specialist in aerology. They returned to TN in 1946, eventually making their home in McMinnville, where Royce initiated the licensing, building, operation and management of a chain of middle TN radio stations, subsequently serving as the first president of the Middle Tennessee Broadcasting Association. Emily was engaged in public relations, civic and charitable endeavors for the radio firms. She was also a busy, involved mother, and always served as an active volunteer in the community.

After moving to Nashville in 1960, she worked as a personnel counselor for a leading employment agency. She was later appointed Public Relations Director for Haury and Smith Realtors, then for many years, until her retirement, she worked as an agent in the sale of residential real estate. The success she achieved in business was undoubtedly relative to her benevolent and genuine interest in people. Her warm outgoing personality endeared her to many. She was a beautiful and gracious lady, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great- grandmother who was profoundly proud of her family and her Tennessee heritage. She was an avid reader, lover of history and enjoyed visiting places of historical interest. She valued her faith and truly cherished her friends. Emily was a long time member of Belle Meade United Methodist Church.

Visitation with the family will be Monday November 9th at 1:00pm at Belle Meade United Methodist Church, followed by a service at 2:00pm. A private graveside service and interment will take place on Tuesday, November 10th,, Highland Cemetery, Sparta, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Belle Meade United Methodist Church, The Tennessee Kidney Foundation, Alive Hospice or charity of choice.