Obituary of Martha Richardson Leaphart

WEST COLUMBIA-Funeral service for Martha Evelyn Richardson Leaphart, 95, of West Columbia, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at Thompson Funeral Home, West Columbia Chapel, 200 State Street, West Columbia, SC 29169. Dr. William H. Drees will officiate. Burial will follow in Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and Tuesday from 12:30-2 p.m. prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 3223 Sunset Blvd, Ste. 100, West Columbia, SC 29169 or to First Baptist Church of West Columbia, 400 State Street, West Columbia, SC 29169. Mrs. Leaphart passed away peacefully in the arms of her daughter Gloria on Friday, February 14, 2014. Born on May 7, 1918 in Irmo, SC, she was the daughter of the late Will Richardson and Annie Chapman Richardson and step-mother, Maggie Whites Richardson. She was a master seamstress and her work was much sought after. She loved the Lord and was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of West Columbia, where she served in the church nursery for many years. She was devoted to her family and especially cherished children. She loved to garden and was a terrific cook. Words cannot express the sorrow felt by her passing. But we rejoice in knowing she is with her Lord and we will be reunited with her one day. Surviving are her daughters, Brenda L. Miles and Gloria L. Godfrey; grandchildren, Angie, Johnny, Frank, Vicky (John) and Stefanie; great-grandchildren, Nikki, Tommy, Andrea, Tyler, Danielle, Bradley, Danners, Scottland, Jessy and Alexis; and three great-great-grandchildren; her sisters, Emma Gadson, Alma McNeely and Ruby Kustas; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, P.D. "Pat" Leaphart; brothers, Ernest, Fred, Henry, Jake and Billy Richardson; and sister, Clyde R. Amick.