Essie Mae Richard was born on May 14, 1929 to her parents, Tera Mae Ferrell and Tommy Cross, Sr. She was the seventh child born in the family and was raised with her siblings, Tommy, Jr., Lucius, Joseph Earl, Charles Earl, Nathaniel, John Robert, Zelma Lee, Mae Pearl, Callie, and Madie. Essie was educated in Franklin, Texas which was the foundation to her life blueprint. Essie met a young man by the name of Roosevelt Richard, they were joined in holy matrimony in Franklin, Texas in 1951. To this union, Robert, Henry, Casper, Sharon, Jennifer, Toni, and Gary were born. The family created many wonderful memories together. Their children recall that Essie would often say, that the secret for a long life includes not drinking, no drugs, no chasing men and not letting them chase you. They later relocated to Colorado in 1960 for additional life opportunities.

Essie served with a spirit of excellence, over the years she worked as a housekeeping supervisor for Prudential Plaza, Lincoln Tower and Children’s Hospital. Her colleagues admired her hard work ethic and efficiency.

A woman of faith, Essie was a member of All Nations Church of God in Christ, where she served as an usher, she later joined Unity Church of God in Christ under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr Odie Kennedy. In her free time, she enjoyed volunteering for different organizations, babysitting, making hot water cornbread, gardening, watching wrestling, hanging out with her friends, Lila Mae Whittington, Mrs. Butler, and Gayle Canadate; and most importantly, spending time with family.

Essie gained an additional source of pride and joy with the addition of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, to them she was known as Grandma and always bought them lots of church clothes.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Tera Mae and Tommy Cross, Sr.; sons, Robert, and Henry; and granddaughter, Kalani and JoVaughn.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Casper, Sharon, Jennifer, Toni and Gary; grandchildren, Marie, Shenee, Takoya, Alex, Terell, Tierra, and Sierra; 14 great-grandchildren; 4 great great-grandchildren, additional family members and friends.

She will truly be missed.