Ann Laura Richards

Ann Laura Richards, 88, of Pierce City, passed away Nov. 26, 2019, while at Mercy Hospital in Joplin.
She was born Oct. 27, 1931 in Stigler, Okla., daughter of the late Richard Edward Hays and Hazel E. (Kellogg) Hays. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Roswell, N.M. as well as the American Legion Auxiliary Post #289 in Strasburg, Ill. In 1950, Ann Laura Hays married George Elmer Richards in Shelbyville, Ill. They were blessed with 69 years together. After moving to southwest Missouri, Richards and her husband owned and operated Richards Heating and Air in Aurora. Upon their retirement, they opened A&G Variety Shop in Aurora.
Richards is survived by: her husband, George, of the home; son, Michael Richards; daughters, Julia (Keith) Birdwell, Deborah (Larry) Warren and Mary (Michael) Schwartz; brother, Tommy Hays; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; as well as a host of extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by: her parents; daughter, Laura Ellen Richards; one grandson; four brothers; and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 at Buchanan Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Spring River Cemetery in Verona. Memorials may be made to Power of Pink, P.O. Box 37, Wheaton, MO 64842. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Buchanan Funeral Home in Monett.