Elinor Tyler Richardson

FLORENCE Elinor Tyler Richardson, 95, died Wednesday, December 11, 2013, in a local hospital after an illness.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 15, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church with burial following in Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, at Waters-Powell Funeral Home in Florence.

Mrs. Richardson was born in Sumter, SC, a daughter of the late Lucius and Elease Drakeford Tyler. She graduated from Florence High School as valedictorian in 1935 and was a 1939 graduate of Agnes Scott College with a degree in history. After attending graduate school at American University in Washington, DC, she went to work for the Department of Labor. During World War II the Department of Labor loaned her to the Office of Price Administration. Before the end of the War, she returned to Florence, where she met and married her beloved husband of 65 years.

Mrs. Richardson was a member of the Pee Dee Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII Century for many years, having served as State Treasurer at one time. She served her chapter in many capacities, including president, for several terms.
She was active in community activities and organizations, such as Three Arts Literary Club and Wildwood Garden Club.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where she served as historian and circle leader several times, and received recognition for work in Women of the Church.

She was a member of the Huguenot Society of South Carolina, and supported the Jamestown Yorktown Foundation, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Mount Vernon Ladies Foundation, Special Olympics of South Carolina, University of South Carolina Association, South Carolina Historical Society, the South Carolina Museum Foundation, and the Florence Symphony Guild.

Her love of history coupled with an interest in her ancestors led to a lifelong involvement with genealogical research. She derived great enjoyment from corresponding and meeting with like-minded people from all over the United States.

Survivors include her husband, Dr. George Butler Richardson of Florence; two sons, James Huger Richardson, MD, and his wife, Kathy Houser Richardson, and Kenneth Tyler Richardson, all of Columbia; and three grandchildren, Emily Louise Richardson, Whitney Ann Richardson, and George Clark Richardson. She was predeceased by a son, George Tyler Richardson.

Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Home of Florence, 2350 W. Lucas St., Florence, SC 29501.

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