Floyd "Pencil" Richards

Floyd Harrison “Pencil” Richards, 99, of Palestine, IL, died at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at his home. Floyd was born August 2, 1910 in Palestine, IL. He was the son of George W. and Ruth Bell (Richards) Burris and was their only child. His mother passed away when he was 8 months old. His father went to the military, and then settled in Baltimore, Maryland. Floyd was raised in Palestine by his maternal grandparents, David and Fannie May Richards. Floyd grew up in Palestine. He graduated from Palestine High School. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the depression in Worley, Idaho and Makanda, Illinois. Floyd retired from the Illinois Central Railroad after over 38 years of service. He was a volunteer fireman in Palestine for 38 years. Floyd also served on the Town Board in Palestine.Along with his wife, Pauline, Floyd was an active member of the Palestine Food Bank and the Robinson Clothing Center for over 30 years. They were awarded Palestine Senior Citizens of the Year on Labor Day in 1997.Floyd was a member of the Palestine Christian Church. He was baptized there when he was 16 years old. He attended Canaan Primitive Baptist Church in Flat Rock for many years before his passing.Floyd said that he dreamed a pattern for a puzzle. He made hundreds from wire coat hangers and gave them to everyone he came in contact with. He took pride in teaching each recipient how to untangle the puzzle.He married Pauline Edith Pierson on January 1, 1937 at 3:00 a.m. by the Justice of Peace in Robinson, IL. Pauline, his wife of 71 years, died August 29, 2008. He was also preceded in death by his parents, George W. Burris and Ruth (Richards) Burris, who died when she was 19 years old; his maternal grandparents, who raised him from infancy, David and Fannie Mae (Leggitt) Richards, and his paternal grandparents, Seth and Caroline (Mees) Burris.Floyd is survived by 5 daughters and sons-in-law and 3 sons and daughters-in-law. They include Ruth and Joe McDaniel, Palestine; Betty and Tom Woodward, Flat Rock, Edna and Jack Frakes, Robinson, Mary Lou and Tommy Tompkins, Midland, TX, Nora and Don Staley, Annapolis; 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Mary (Collins) Richards, Friendswood, TX; Pat and Rita (Weck) Richards, Robinson, and Melvin Floyd Richards, Palestine. He had twin daughters who died in infancy.He was blessed with 15 grandchildren, Steve McDaniel, Scott McDaniel, Jenna (McDaniel) Murphy, Kim (Woodward) Leighty, Kaycee (Woodward) Titsworth, Kathy Woodward (died in infancy), TC Woodward (died in infancy), Tom Woodward, Jr., Rodney Frakes, Gina (Richards) Jones, Jerry Richards, Richard Tompkins, Stephanie (Tompkins) Belk, Donnie Nethery II (died at 20 years old) and Tanner Richards.He was also blessed with 26 great grandchildren, Drew McDaniel, Emily (McDaniel) McCammon, Janna McDaniel, Catlin McDaniel, Calvin Murray, Amy Murray, Erin Murray, Landon Leighty, Jordon Leighty, Travis Titsworth, Trista Titsworth (died at 5 weeks old), Trevor Titsworth, Trent Titsworth, Whitney (Woodward) Lewsader, Delaney Woodward, Joshua Woodward, Joshua Jones, Seth Jones, Harrison Jones, Johnathon Richards, Lauren Richards, Emily Richards (died in infancy), Brayden Richards, Taylor Tompkins, Tia Tompkins, and Booklyn Belk.In 2008 he was blessed with one great-great grandchild, Izzabella Lewsader.Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2009 at the Goodwine Funeral Home, Palestine with Rev. Jerry McDaniel officiating. Burial will be in the Palestine Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 7th at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice with envelopes available at the funeral home.