Zelis "Jean" Richards

Zelis “Jean” (Cope) Richards, 91, passed away October,23 2022 at 5:20 PM after succumbing to complications from a back injury she sustained while taking care of her beloved perennials. She was born on July 5, 1931, in Grafton Illinois to Alvis Cope and Ruby Besaw. She grew up in a family of 6 brothers: Leonard Cope, Claude Cope, Robert Cope, Jerome Cope, Russell Cope and Ralph Cope. She had one sister, Catherine Cope. She had been the last remaining family member for many years. She married Robert “Bob” Richards on Sept 3, 1949. Together they had three children. A son, Rodney (Rebecca) Richards who preceded her in death in 2011. A daughter, Roberta (Terry) Wright and a son Ronald (Michelle) Richards. The couple moved to Brighton, Illinois from Godfrey in 1955 and moved to their current residence in 1960. In addition to two of their three children, she is survived by nine Grand Children, twenty one Great Grandchildren and two Great-Great grandchildren. Bob and Jean enjoyed camping, swimming and boating during the years when their children were growing up. The family spent many vacations at Lake of the Ozarks with her brothers and their families. Jean had a great appreciation and love for music. She took piano and organ lessons and was the pianist and then organist for Bethany Baptist Church for many years. Jean spent many years teaching piano to children in the Brighton area. She shared her love of music with her children as well. Each of her children learned to play piano and other instruments and grew up sharing Jean’s love of music. After their children had grown, Bob and Jean learned to square dance and round dance. They did exhibition dancing and traveled with a Round Dance group to many different states to participate in dances. Jean worked at Owens-Illinois Glass Factory off and on for several years, then she chose to go to cosmetology school and became a Cosmetologist. She owed Jeans Beauty Shop in Brighton Illinois for many years. After closing her shop and retiring, she worked at Farm Fresh on Godfrey Road she also worked at the Donut Shop that was located where the Round Table restaurant is now located. Jean was a feisty, independent and outspoken woman who loved tending her roses and taking care of her flowers in the yard. Above all, she loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She spent many hours baking cookies with them and having sleep overs. She especially enjoyed making Christmas special for each of her beloved Grandbabies. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 27, 2022 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Pastor Joel Lohr will officiate. Burial will be at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. Memorials may be made to the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

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Zelis "Jean" Richards

July 5, 1931 - October 23, 2022