James Newman Richards December 15, 1939 - December 13, 2009 James Newman Richards, 69, of California Street died at 4:06 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at Columbus Regional Hospital. Mr. Richards was a former employee of Golden Foundry and retired from JaiAlai Highlight Company. He was an avid fan of NASCAR racing and Mark Martin. Born in Edinburgh Dec. 15, 1939, Mr. Richards was the son of Harry and Alvina Coy Richards. He married Barbara Lucas Oct. 14, 1963. Survivors include a son, James (Robin) Richards of Columbus; a daughter, Jennifer (Warren) Bennett of Columbus; brothers, Robert Richards of Columbus, Ronnie Richards of Columbus, Albert Richards of Underwood and Timothy Richards of Hope; sisters, Sharon Lucas of Nashville, Terry Mathis of Hope, Bonnie Roach of Martinsville and Nina Harrison of Columbus; 19 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife on March 7, 2008; a son, Jeffrey Richards; a brother, Laurel Richards; and a sister, Cheryl Richards. Funeral Information FUNERAL: 10 a.m. Thursday at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert Smith officiating. CALLING: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday. BURIAL: Melott Cemetery in Brown County. Donations Information Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association. DirectionsVisitation:  Map to Funeral Home

James Newman Richards December 15, 1939 - December 13, 2009 James Newman Richards, 69, of California Street died at 4:06 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at Columbus Regional Hospital. Mr. Richards was a former employee of Golden Foundry and retired from JaiAlai Highlight Company. He was an avid fan of NASCAR racing and Mark Martin. Born in Edinburgh Dec. 15, 1939, Mr. Richards was the son of Harry and Alvina Coy Richards. He married Barbara Lucas Oct. 14, 1963. Survivors include a son, James (Robin) Richards of Columbus; a daughter, Jennifer (Warren) Bennett of Columbus; brothers, Robert Richards of Columbus, Ronnie Richards of Columbus, Albert Richards of Underwood and Timothy Richards of Hope; sisters, Sharon Lucas of Nashville, Terry Mathis of Hope, Bonnie Roach of Martinsville and Nina Harrison of Columbus; 19 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife on March 7, 2008; a son, Jeffrey Richards; a brother, Laurel Richards; and a sister, Cheryl Richards. Funeral Information FUNERAL: 10 a.m. Thursday at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert Smith officiating. CALLING: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday. BURIAL: Melott Cemetery in Brown County. Donations Information Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association. DirectionsVisitation:  Map to Funeral Home