LaVAUGHN "PETE" RICHARDS

June 29, 2020

LaVaughn "Pete" Richards, 84, passed away on Monday, June 29, 2020. Born in Elora, Tennessee near the Alabama border, Pete lived the last forty years in the Virginia Mines area of Hueytown, Alabama. Following high school in 1953, Pete served his nation by joining the National Guard where he served in the 117th Civil Engineering Squadron in Birmingham, Alabama for eight years. He was called to active duty and spent nearly a year in Europe with the U.S. Air Force. After being honorably discharged, Pete started his lifelong career as professional plumber and retired around the age of 75. In 1967, Pete married the former Elva McFerrin. A little over one year later, they were blessed with their daughter, Lisa. Pete and Elva remained married until her passing in 1992 following a long illness. In 1994, Pete and Sandra were married. Pete became a father figure to Sandra's children and grandchildren and was affectionately known as Paw Paw. Pete is survived by his wife, Sandra; his daughter Lisa Madderra (John); stepson Jason Mayfield (Regina); his grandchildren Jacob Myers, Jordan Sneed, Bryce Mayfield, Jasmine Mayfield, Caleb Myers, Justin Mayfield, Alyssa Melton, Joshua Madderra, Casey Madderra and five great-grandchildren. Pete is also survived by his sister, Reba Hemphill; sister-in-law Irene Raines; brother-in-law Harold McFerrin and many loving nieces, nephews and relatives. Pete was preceded in death by his wife Elva; parents Charles and Lyda Richards; sister, Dean Phillips; sister-in-law, Debbie Fritts; stepdaughter Tiffany Boie and stepson Christopher Mayfield. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2020 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Peoples Chapel Funeral Home in Hueytown, Alabama. Graveside service will be held afterwards at 11:00 AM at Highland Memorial Gardens in Bessemer, Alabama with a special word from Pete's lifelong friend, Darby Hale. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Joshua Madderra, Casey Madderra, Jacob Myers, Caleb Myers, Justin Mayfield and nephew Trae Antinoro. Due to current precautions, facemasks will be required at the visitation and graveside service.