In the last column, the lineage of the local Richards family was outlined through the generation of John J. Richards’ grandchildren. Most of them resided in Covington County, and some of them later moved to Walton County, Florida, and other locations. In today’s column, this family genealogy will be taken a generation further.

This next generation of Richards descendants will be presented in birth order within each family whose information is readily available. The first grandchild, son of John Joseph Richards, is Neil Gillis Richards. He is one who moved to Walton County, Florida. He was married first to Emma Salter in 1888, and they had the following children: Marvin Newton Sr., b. 1905, d. 1985; Jeff, m. Dorothy ?; and Neil J. Later, Neil Gillis was married to Artie Missie Salter, a sister to his first wife, in 1892. They reared his children and one of their own, W. N. “Nick,” who married Madelyn ?, and they made their home in Cantoment, Florida.

A brother to Neil Gillis, Franklin Lanier Richards, also moved to Walton County. He was married to Lucinda Wasden, and they reared the following children: William Joseph, b. 1892, d. 1943; Minnie, b. 1894; Elsie, b. 1902, d. 1992, m. Mister Lunsford; Willie, b.& d. 1920; and Leon, b. 1923, d. 1968.

A sister, Jessia Elizabeth Richards, married Richard Levens, and they made their home in Walton and Holmes County, Florida. They reared the following children: Lula; Joseph; Mallie; Franklin, m. Lena ?; and Eva, m. Etha E. Hobbs.

A brother, Joseph Julius Richards, married in 1912 Julia Eugene Wyse, daughter of Frank and Ida (Watts) Wyse, of Milton Florida. They made their home there and reared the following children: Glenn Thames, b. 1913, d. 1967; Celia Mae, b. 1915, d. 1934, single; Joseph Lee, b. 1917, d. 1934, single; Vivian Loray, b. 1919, d. 1980; and Mary Louise, b. 1924.

A sister, Sarah Ann Malissa Richards, was married in 1896 to John L. Salter. They had two children: Lois, m. Roy Tharpe; and Cloyce Marie, b. 1921. Sarah Ann died when her youngest daughter was about three months old.

A sister, Mary Isabelle Richards, married in 1903 George Lee Davis. They made their home in Milton and reared the following children: George Durward, b. 1904, d. ca 1909; Hazel Alfreda, b. 1906; June Aldevene, b. 1909, m. William P. Long; Mary Belle, b. 1912, d. 1914.

The next brother, Kenneth Malcolm Richards, was married in 1901 to Della Weeks. In 1928, Kenneth was elected as Justice of the Peace until 1932 for Caryville in Washington County, Florida. Most of their children were born in Bonifay, Florida. These included the following: Infant twins, b. 1902; Seward Julius, b. 1903, d. 1954, m. Frances Thames; Ethel Isabelle, b. 1905, d. 1991; Sybil, b. 1907, d. 1990; Wilma Lucille, b. 1911, d. 1973; Kenneth Malcolm Jr., b. 1916, d. 1972; Delphan Millard, b. 1920; and Jack Edward Sr., b. 1926, d. 1962.

The youngest brother, James Marion Richards, was married in 1910 to Allie Sarrett, daughter of James and Olivia (McMillan) Sarrett. He was affectionately called “Uncle Jim” and was the first President and one of the originators of the Richards’ Reunion. He and his wife made their home for the greater part in Thomasville of Thomas County, Georgia. There they reared the following children: Jimmie Aline, b. 1910, d. 1912; James Everett, b. 1913, d. 1972; Elsie Mae, b. 1915; and Virginia Bell, b. 1917, d. 1989, m. Carlton Eugene Stewart.

While there is considerable genealogy on the next generations in this family found in the book, Family History Of: John J. Richards, only some of those in the next generation who basically resided in and around Covington County will be shared. These will be presented in the birth order of the previous generation.

Lillie Hathorn and her husband, John Wilton Taylor, were married in 1930 in Opp. Their one child, Charles Oliver Taylor was born there as well.

Sarah Aline Gay and her husband, John Hilton Cox, resided in Wing when their children were born. They reared the following three children: John Willard; Dorothy Mae, b. 1933, m. (1) Otha Arlin Coburn (2) Henry Allen Mathews (3) Jack U. Carroll; and Mildred Jeannette.

Loyd Wesley Richards, son of James Jasper Richards, was a farmer. He and his wife, Mamie Thelma Mitchell, resided in the Rose Hill/Dozier area. They reared the following children: Floyce Lurene, b. 1929, m. William Corbin Butler; Thaurence Dwight, b. 1930, m. Clera Merle Bryan; Dorman Jerell, b. 1935, m. Shirley Temple Duncan; Drexell Wesley, b. 1941, m. Margaret A. Warren; and Glenda Fay, b. 1945, m. Jimmy Clyde Hammett.

Gladys Irene Richards, daughter of James Jasper Richards, and her husband, Willis Sylvester Wilson, lived in the Dozier and Kinston communities. They had the following three children: Darwin LaWayne, b. 1933, m. (1) Peggy Ann Williams (2) Mary Ellen Moore (3) Edna Violet Mitchell; Infant, b.&d. 1935; and Lloyd Dudley, b. 1938, d. 1969, m. Gwendolyn Smith.

Roy Lester Richards, son of James Jasper Richards, and wife, Mennie Lee McCart, resided in Covington County. They reared the following children: Harold Winston, b. 1933, d. 1995, m.(1) Mary Nichols (2) Martha Gail Chapman; Dwanice Jerome, b. 1937, m.(1) Virginia Nadene Sizemore (2) Ethel White Harris; Joe Earl, b. 1942, m. Sherry Scurlock; and Roland Richards, b. 1944, d. 1989.

Luna Kate Richards, daughter of James Jasper Richards, and husband, Austin McCart, lived in the Dozier and Opp communities. They had two children, Myra Quinn, b. 1937, m. (1) Henry Allen Cannon (2) Leroy Allison; and Barbara Jena, b. 1941, m. John Lee Riddle.

Geraldine Richards, daughter of James Jasper Richards, and husband, Jesse B. Carnley, resided in the Dozier area. They had the following children: Jimmie Lou, b. 1941, m. John Doswell; Benjamin Tedd, b. 1943, m. Leanette Thomas; Ruby Nell, b. 1946, m. (1) David Hardin (2) Billy Bird; and Billy Robert, b. 1954.

A few in the next generation who lived in this area and who shared family records for this column will be shared.

Floyce Richards, daughter of Loyd Wesley Richards, and her husband, William Corbin Butler, made their home between Andalusia and Opp. They reared the following children: Sandra Marie, m. Raymond Randall Spann; William Gary, m. Debbie Patricia Cook; Carl Wilson, m. Anna Marie Lloyd; Joyce Eilene, m. Nyles Lee Redmon; and Robert Patrick, m. Wendy Adams.

Floyce’s brother, Dorman Jerell Richards, is a Vietnam Veteran. He and wife, Shirley Temple Duncan, resided in Covington County and have two children: Mona Teresa; and Karen Lynn.

Floyce’s brother, Drexell Wesley Richards, is a Desert Storm Veteran. He and his wife, Margaret Warren, have one son, Dennis Wendell.

Floyce’s sister, Glenda Fay Richards, and her husband, Jimmy Clyde Hammett, live in the Dozier area. They have two children: Rita Charlene, and Christopher Jimmy.

Much more genealogy on this family may be found in the source for this writing, Family History Of: John J. Richards, by Joyce Richards Blalock, Jace E. Richards and The Richards’ Clan. Appreciation is expressed to Joyce Blalock and Floyce Butler for sharing their records for this narrative.

Anyone who has questions regarding this column or genealogy on some family they wish to be featured may contact Curtis Thomasson at 20357 Blake Pruitt Road, Andalusia, AL 36420; call 334-222-6467; or e-mail: cthomasson@centurytel.net