Clara Lavorn Richmond

Clara “Belle” Lavorn Richmond, 83, of Byhalia, died Aug. 17, 2017. A graduate of Byhalia Rosenwall School in the early 1950s, she was at the top of her class. After finishing her education, she went to work for Dr. Leonard Wright at Wright’s Sanitorium in Byhalia. Famed novelist William Faulkner died there in 1962. She was the widow of Roosevelt Richmond Sr. and retired to become a homemaker.

Services were held at 12 noon on Aug. 26 at St. Matthews MB Church in Byhalia, where she was a member. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pastor Gregory L. Hughes officiated. Serenity-Autry Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

She leaves a daughter, Celestine Mitchell of Olive Branch; four sons, Terry Lee Richmond of Byhalia, Allen Ray Richmond, Roosevelt Richmond Jr. (Jackie), both of Memphis, Tenn., John Charles Richmond (Dorothy) of Ashland; two brothers, Augustine Standard (Victoria) of Akron, Ohio, Lee Coker (Jean) of Tulsa, Okla.; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Roosevelt F. Richmond; brothers John and J.C. Richmond; and sisters, Lenora Thompson and Mildred Crutcher.