Melba Jean Richards

Melba Jean Richards, 92, of Cullowhee, went home to be with the Lord on June 5, 2025.

Born in Nashville, Tennessee on February 19, 1933, she later attended Ward-Belmont Preparatory School.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jennie Porter Hunter and Charles Richard Marshall; her stepfather, Tull Edward Akin; and her daughter, Pamela Dianne Richards.

Melba was a gifted watercolorist and teacher of art and the Bible. She had a 30-year career in real estate, having earned her GRI, CRS and CRB designations, and was the co-owner and broker of her company in Virginia.

At age 60, she jumped out of a perfectly good airplane and enjoyed it so much that she repeated her skydiving experience the following year. Melba was known for her unconditional love, generosity, encouragement, and wisdom, which she generously shared with others. Many people called her “mom.”

She is survived by daughters Lori Jean Richards of Cullowhee and Jennie Lynn Richards of Virginia; granddaughters Christina Leigh Jamison and Caitlin Victoria Jamison of Virginia; and half-sister Reba Marshall Greer and her husband James Greer of Tennessee.

Melba’s Celebration of Life will be held Monday, June 16, 2025 with a visitation at 3:00 pm followed by a memorial service at 4:00 pm in the chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva.