Birth Date: 01/31/1946
Deceased Date: 12/08/2024
Merline Richard, beloved wife, mother, and faithful servant of Jehovah God, passed away on December 8, 2024, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Smithfield, NC, surrounded by her family.
Merline was born on January 31, 1946 in Warren, Arkansas to the late Russell and Christine Rainey. She was one of eleven children. She married Joe Richard on August 4, 1964, in Arkansas, together they raised four children, Ray, Matt, Llewellyn, and Venus. Mom Merline was an industrious worker and served as a school bus driver, a tour bus driver, commercial construction worker, and finally before retiring, she assisted developmentally disabled individuals.
Mom was baptized as one of Jehovah’s witnesses in 1974 in Kansas City, Missouri. One of her greatest joys has been serving as a full-time pioneer since 2018. In addition, she visited Bethel with her family twice in the past two years. She was an accomplished gardener, she could grow anything. She loved wearing vibrant colors and she loved preaching the “Good News.” She loved spending time with family, whether it be bowling, watching movies or playing cards. She also loved garage sales and traveling.
Merline is survived by her husband Joe Richard, her son Ray Richard (spouse, Oletha), son Matt Richard (spouse, Greer), son Llewellyn Richard and daughter Venus Kind (spouse, Benjamin); grandchildren, ReiQuan Richard, Evauagnah Richard, twins Kelaun & Jelaun Richard, Tavarius Marshall, Chinique Quinn, Kevin Baker, Celnique Baker, Bronkeda Simmons, Logan Richard, Kerry Richard, Jacob Richard, Benjamin Kind, Jr., Quintina Kind, Larika Kind, and Unique Kind; 23 great-grandchildren; siblings, Berline Brown, Patricia Thomas, Carolyn Leonard, Dewayne Leonard, Dwight Leonard, Charles Rainey, Eddie Rainey, and Michael McKnight.
Merline was predeceased by her parents, Russell and Christine Rainey; siblings, Angela Faye Thompson and James Rainey; and her grandson Jerel Richard.
Merline endured sudden but devastating illnesses all while remaining faithful to Jehovah God. She is now resting safely in Jehovah’s memory awaiting the promise at John 5:28, 29 to be fulfilled. It was her strong desire that everyone she loved be there to welcome her back in the resurrection, after which we will live in perfect health in a peaceful new world, serving our God Jehovah forever.
Online condolences may be left for the family at parrishfh.com.
