Lois Jean Richards, Milford Educator for 43 years, dies at 82

Lois Jean (Shackelford) Richards, age 82, passed away peacefully at Milford Hospital, March 26, 2013.

She was born May 31, 1930, in Coraopolis, PA, to the late Louis and Dorothy (Teamor) Shackelford. Lois attended Hampton University in Virginia where she met her husband of 45 years, Earl B. Richards Jr. In 1952, she graduated from Connecticut State Teachers College and was hired as one of the first African American Educators in the Milford public school system.

She worked as a teacher in Milford from 1955 until 1998 and along the way obtained a Masters degree in education from Fairfield University in 1978. After retiring for one week in 1998, Lois continued to endeavor to improve the minds of Milford children by working as a paraprofessional in the Milford school system until Jan. 2013.

Lois is survived by her son Earl and his wife Dara of Woodbridge, her sisters; Arlene Shackelford Rucker and Geraldine Shackelford of Sewickley, PA and her brother Louis Carl Shackelford III of Pompano Beach, FL. She is also the beloved grandmother of Jacob Michael Richards.

Friends are invited to call Friday, April 5, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Smith & Sefcik Funeral Home, 135 N Broad St. Milford. A prayer service at the funeral home will be held at 6:30 p.m. Interment will be Wednesday, April 10, at Milford Cemetery.