Dorothy Marie Richards

Dorothy “Dot” Coley Richards of New Orleans, Louisiana passed away on September 30, 2021 at the age of 92. Dot is survived by her only child, Dr. Darrell H. Richards of Algiers. She was preceded in death by her loving husband John Robert Richards to whom she was married for 60 beautifully happy years. She was the daughter of Milburn Ok Coley and Sarah Faye Coley, long time members of The Frist Baptist Church of Algiers. Dot longed to join, in heaven, her parents and sibling inclusive of Lt. Herman Darrell Coley, WWII fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Frank “Buddy” Coley and sisters Virginia Coley Trest, Clarice Coley Mateyko and Peggy Coley Barras. She is also survived by nephews and nieces to include Brett, Michelle and Kirk Barras; Herman, Shirley and Steven Coley; Maria, Traci, Madelyn, Roderick and Kevin Miller; Larry, Diane and Dana Trest; Terry and Milana Tullier and a large number of great nephews and nieces.

Dot was born in Norflett Arkansas. She had a total of 8 sibling and was the last surviving child. She always missed her loved ones and she longed for heaven to be with Jesus , her family and her Christian friends. Dot, known as “

Ms. Dorothy” to many, was an enthusiastic church member of Calvary Baptist Church since the 1960’s. She was active in her “Bible Study” group and Westbank Christian Woman’s Club. People who knew her know she had the spirit of Christ and a beautiful loving soul. Dot had a natural green thumb and loved her plants and flowers. She raised many plants, had plant sales and gave the proceeds to the Christian Woman’s Club. This was her labor of love. She kept her back yard like a park. Her joy was sitting on her patio waiting for beautiful birds and squirrels who feasted on the pecans from her enormous pecan tree she had planted.

She graduated (GED), from Martin Behrman High School and worked at LP&L in Algiers for over 20 years. She was an exemplary wife and wonderful loving mother. One could not ask for a better mother, who will be missed EVERYDAY. She had a heart bigger than Texas and the soul of a Saint, to which she was often referred to by her beloved minister, Rev. Michael Corney. She loved her former daughter in law, Ginger Richards Odom and (“step” daughter) Marcia Bader of New York.

After her late husband, John, died in 2012, she hung on but was tired and anxious to join Jesus, family and friends in heaven. She was tired yet courageous to hang on for her son, Darrell. Finally she died of COVID-19.

A funeral service will be Friday, October 8, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Calvary Baptist Church, located at 2401 General De Gaulle Dr., New Orleans, Louisiana 70114 (504)-367-6464. Gravesite prayers and interment will be at 2:30 PM (ON TIME) Friday, October 8, 2021 at Westlawn Memorial Park, located at 1225 Whitney Ave., Gretna, Louisiana 70056. For directions, please call (504) 393-1741. Westside Leitz-Eagan of Marrero will be assisting with funeral arrangements. Those who wish to send flowers may do so via Westside Leitz-Eagan (504) 341-9421.

Thank you Lord for such a wonderful mother, aunt and friend to many who she offered and shared an enormous amount of unselfish love in her 92 years on earth. She is now rejoicing in heaven with Jesus, family and friends. Her favorite Bible verse was “Surely goodness will follow me all the days of my life” Psalms 23.