Martha Blankenbeckler Richards

Martha Blankenbeckler Richards, 86, of Salem, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, June 7, 2012. She was retired from General Electric after 27 years of service. Her church membership included First Baptist Church for 20 years and most recently Bonsack Baptist Church for 10 years. She enjoyed sewing, planting flowers, and traveling. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lockie Blankenbeckler; brothers, Ellis Blankenbeckler, Glen Blankenbeckler, William Lee Blankenbeckler, and Maurice Blankenbeckler; and sisters, Mary Ruth McGrady and Vivian Parks. Her surviving family includes her husband of 27 years, James Adrian Richards; children, Judy Huffman Amos and husband Byron, Donna R. Roye and husband Dwayne, and James A. Richards, Jr.; brother, George Blankenbeckler; grandchildren, Julian R. Criner, Jr. and wife, Nita, Heather Elaine Williams and husband, Clifton, Robin Leah Amos, and Duane C. Amos and wife, Laura; great-grandchildren, Ashley C. Criner, Aaron C. Criner, Aaron C. Williams, Joshua R. Williams, Anna Amos, and Bethany Amos; and nieces and nephews, Pat, Sandy, Carol, Dennis, and Ronnie. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 8, 2012 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. in the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 1 p.m. in the funeral homes chapel. Entombment will be held at Sherwood Memorial Park. Dr. Robert Moore III and Pastor John D. Cochran will officiate. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marthas name may be made to the Ostomy Association of the Roanoke Valley at 7118 Cross Timber Trail in Roanoke, VA 24019. An online guestbook is available at www.johnmoakey.com. The Richards family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441.