Elsa Lee Neely Richter

Elsa Lee Neely Richter

Nashville, TN

Elsa Lee Neely Richter died at home on April 30th at age 100.

Born March 9, 1915 in Natchez, MS to David Edward Neely and Louisa Clough Lipscomb Neely. Preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Winston Boos Richter, and her six sisters, Annie Mary Creel, Dorothy Louise Cullum, Marcia Frances Thweatt, Marjorie Lipscomb Glass, Lady Claire Harless, and Perry Edward Gregory.

Survived by her children, Louisa (Frank) Farley and Winston Boos (Suzanne) Richter, Jr.; two grandchildren, Lee Ann (Mark) Burney and Lisa Travis, and four great-grandchildren, Alex Burney, Winston Burney, Jesse Travis, and Hunter Travis.

Elsa has resided in Nashville since 1987 where she was a member of Hillsboro Church of Christ. Previously, she and her husband lived in McMinnville, TN where they owned a photographic and art studio. Elsa painted professionally and taught art for more than 60 years. During her career, Elsa participated in numerous judged exhibits, one-man shows, and art shows in Nashville, McMinnville, and Cookeville in TN, as well as Bradenton and Long Boat Key in Florida. She was a well-known participant in shows at the Parthenon, Cheekwood, Harding Academy, David Lipscomb Academy, and Christ the King Academy. Prior to moving to McMinnville, Elsa assisted her husband Boos in his position as superintendent of the Tennessee Orphan Home in Spring Hill, TN where they lived for more than 20 years. During this time she was known as "Mama Boos" and spent countless hours making sure that every child had Christmas and birthday presents, and clothes they could be proud to wear. She and her husband took the high school children on yearly trips, including Washington, DC, Florida, Texas, North Carolina and Virginia. Each summer, the entire home went on a week-long camping trip to a state park in Tennessee. Elsa was a Christian and member of the Church of Christ for more than 85 years.

At a very early age, she became a daily Bible reader. For about 85 years, she never missed a day in reading her Bible. The family deeply appreciates the assistance provided by Bonnie Gluth, Susan Whitley, Alive Hospice, and Whole Care connections. Their gentle care made it possible for her family to keep her at home.

Visitation with the family will be Sunday, May 3, from five o'clock until eight o'clock, at Woodlawn Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be on Tuesday, May 5, at Hillsboro Church of Christ at ten o'clock, with visitation at nine o'clock. Pallbearers will be Troy Greenlee, Jesse Travis, Hunter Travis, Mark Burney, Alex Burney, and Winston Burney.

Visit the online obituary: www.woodlawn-roesch-pattonfh.com