Thelma Archie Richards was born on August 28, 1930 in Portsmouth VA. She was the fifth of six children born to Mary Elizabeth and Eddie Archie. She was a graduate of Our Lady of Victory Catholic High School. In 1950 she married her childhood sweetheart, Curtis Lee Rich-ards of Portsmouth VA. Thelma was a devoted military wife and mother. Together she and Curtis raised five children while traveling the world as a military family. Thelma was an accomplished, award-winning artist who loved to use oil and acrylics to paint landscapes, and her famous “Madonnas”. She was an active member of the of Negro Women’s Federation, and spent most of her life helping others. She regularly visited the sick, and donated food, clothing and toiletries to those in need. She was a God-Fearing, Christian woman who taught her children to love the Lord. One of her favorite charities was Operation Blessings. Thelma continued her charitable work until her health began to decline. On the evening of August 12, 2019, in the company of friends and loved ones, she peacefully slipped into the arms of the Lord. Thelma is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Curtis L. Richards, Sr., her five loving children, Elsa Stuart, of Huntsville, AL; Curtissa Coleman (Everett) of Upper Marlboro, MD; Myra Richards-Finister, of Alexandria, VA; Curtis Lee Richards, Jr. (Angela) of Fayetteville, NC and JoVanka Black (Robert Alexander) of Charlotte, NC Her memory will be cherished by a host of grand-children, great-grand children, niec-es, nephews, and friends.