Cecile L. Richards

Cecile D. Richards, journalist, author and volunteer, died peacefully on August 22, 2014, in her Tulsa home. A native Tulsan, she was born on April 28, 1924, to Cecil Neal Little and Philip Watkins Davis, Jr. Cecile decided at age 10 to become a newspaper reporter and published work in the sixth grade at Barnard Elementary School, in Woodrow Wilson Junior High School’s “Booster” and Central High School’s “Tulsa School Life.” She graduated from Central at age 16 in 1940 and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from The University of Oklahoma where she was Issue Editor of “The Oklahoma Daily.” Cecile was employed as a reporter during World War II for the Atlanta Journal Constitution and later for the Tulsa Tribune. It was while working the Tulsa crime beat for KTUL Radio after the War that she met her future husband of forty years, John R. Richards, whom she married in 1948. Cecile’s deep roots and pride in her native city were reflected in her book on early Tulsa history, “Wherever You Go,” the story of her great aunt, Jane Heard Clinton, who helped establish the Tulsa arts community and whose husband, Fred S. Clinton, was one of Oklahoma’s earliest physicians, having begun his practice prior to statehood, and co-financier of Tulsa County’s first oil well. Cecile was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Confederacy and served on the boards of the Babies’ Milk Fund, Tulsa Boys’ Home, AAUW, Magic Empire of Girl Scouts and the Alpha Phi Foundation. She handled public relations for Community Chest (now Tulsa Area United Way), was active in the Shakespearean Society, the Tulsa Historical Society and Hyechka Club Tulsa. Cecile had a great affinity for the performing arts and, in her later years, traveled the world, visiting six continents. She loved the out-of-doors and animals, offering food, a home and love to numerous strays throughout her life. Cecile was preceded in death by her beloved husband John Raymond, infant son John Davis, grandchild Kara Davis Ketcham and great-grandchild Kylie Violet Soderlund. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Ann Richards Ketcham and Bruce V. Ketcham, Barbara Richards, Phil R. Richards and his wife Patricia, and Julia Neal Richards Thompson. Cecile is also survived by grandchildren Ioanna Soderlund and her husband Tim, Eleni Asimos, Sarah Meeks and her husband Zachary, Celia Ketcham, Phoebe, Anna and John Richards, and great-grandchild Kinley Rose Soderlund. Cecile will be laid to rest in the Rose Hill Mausoleum after a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 6, 2014. A viewing will be held at Moore’s Southlawn on 51st Street, Tulsa, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on September 5th . Donations may be made in her memory to John 3:16 Mission () or the Cecile D. and John R. Richards Alpha Phi Scholarship Fund ( or by calling 847-316-8954). Moore’s Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com

Cecile L. Richards

April 28, 1924 - August 22, 2014