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Etta Mae Richmond
Sunrise: August 19, 1931, a summer day was made even brighter with the birth of a beautiful baby girl named Etta Mae to the union of Frank Edward Harris and Portia Payne Harris in Topeka KS. Though plagued with numerous childhood illness, including bouts of pneumonia with the last one being treated by a kindly white MD (employer of her father giving her a miracle drug called penicillin) she grew into an articulate, caring and loving adult. Moving to Fulton, MO early in life, she told the story of black students being denied attendance to the white Fulton High School and were bussed daily to the Laboratory High School at Lincoln University in Jefferson, City, MO. This afforded these students (including her boyfriend Nathan Richmond) the unique opportunity to be taught by college professors, better preparing them for a successful future with a higher quality education than offered in the school they were denied admission, many of whom like her entered the field of education. Continuing her undergraduate studies at Lincoln, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She would later earn a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois, Champaign. She and her high school beau, Nathan N. Richmond were married February 14, 1954 at her parents home while he was on leave from Korea. Her first teaching job was in Mexico, MO where the superintendent there was Dr. Joseph Marinaccio, who became the Superintendent of Kankakee School District in1955. Calling Etta and offering her a position in Kankakee, she exclaimed “Kanka-Who”?, (a story she enjoyed telling on many occasions). Writing her husband and informing him of her decision, she relocated to Kankakee beginning a 37 year career in education here. While she was not the first teacher of color hired, she was the first to stay with the district. During her initial year, she received threats on her life and unkind comments yet she persevered. Upon his discharge, her husband joined her. They purchased a home and became productive citizens. They joined the Caldwell Chapel AME Zion Church under the pastorate of Rev. John Frazier, where she was active as choir member, Vacation Bible School teacher, Steward, WH&OMS (President for 25 years) and Lay Council member. Her membership spanned 66 years, including 27 years as “First Lady”. Community involvements include but not limited to: Kankakee Federation of Teachers, Illinois Retired Teachers Association, NAACP, Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority and the Kankakee Minister’s Wive’s Fellowship. She has indeed led a full-filling, meaningful, helpful and inspiring life. Sunset: On Tuesday evening, October 12, at 8:45 p.m. Etta quietly and peacefully transitioned from life temporal to life eternal at her home. Cherishing her loving memory is one son, Nathan N. Richmond, Jr. of Bolingbrook, IL; one adopted son, Richard Powell of Kankakee; cousins: Sandra Richmond, Armentia (Charles), Dominique and Danielle Howerton and Marlecia Bagby of Triangle, VA; Ryon (Jacqueline) and Bryon Richmond of Columbia, MO; Bertina (Stephon) Griffin of St. Louis, MO; and Franklin Richmond of Jefferson City, MO; brother-in-law, Lavore (Alice) Richmond, Sr. of Fulton, MO; nephews: Lavore (Suzanne) Richmond, Jr. of Fredericksburg, VA; Kevin (Rayna) and Grant Richmond of Bremerton, WA, Kia and Kyla Richmond ; a niece Gloria Richmond of Fulton, MO and her college roommate Hester Johnson of Minneapolis, MN. Preceding her demise were her husband, parents, her brother Dr. Edward E. Harris, PhD and two aunts.August 19, 1931 - October 12, 202108/19/193110/12/2021
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Etta Mae Richmond