By Edith Anderson, Special to the Courier
Saturday, August 22, was an extra special day for this young lady. Ruth LeCounte Richardson celebrated her 100th birthday at First Zion Baptist Church in Riceboro.
Although her actual birthday is August 25, family, friends, members of the clergy, politicians, and other dignitaries gathered from miles around to celebrate this remarkable woman of God. This royal celebration was a time of reflection, remembrance, renewal, laughs, and great fellowship as the mother and queen of the Richardson family was honored. She wore her crown well with grace and dignity, and her family wore different shades of blue (which is her favorite color).
Mother Ruth was honored with proclamations from the Office of U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, Georgia House District 168 Representative Al Williams, Liberty County First District Commissioner Marion Stevens and the City of Riceboro Mayor Chris Stacy.
Ruth LeCounte Richardson was born on August 25, 1926, in Riceboro. Her parents were Saul and Dollie LeCounte, and she was fourth of seven children. All her siblings are deceased. When she was born, the cost of a gallon of gasoline was 23 cents; and you could buy a new Ford Model T for $260 to $380. A postage stamp was only two cents, and a loaf of bread was approximately nine cents. (google. com), At an early age, Mother Ruth joined First Zion Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Board. She later accepted Jesus Christ into her heart at the Great Summer Revival of 1986 in Holmestown, and subsequently joined Solomon Temple Holiness Church until 2017. Currently, she is the Church Mother at Rivers of Living Waters Ministry in Hinesville, under the leadership of Pastor Terrell Frazier. Mother Ruth has always loved church, and her favorite Scriptures are Psalm 103:1 and Psalm 23. Her favorite song is “God Is.”
In high school, Ruth LeCounte Richardson was an outstanding basketball player at Dorchester Academy in Midway. Her jersey number was 11, and her sister Naomi’s jersey number was 12. The late Mary Baggs of Riceboro served as the team’s coach.
On June 24, 1946, Ruth LeCounte married Lewis Richardson in Jamaica, New York. The Richardsons were blessed with eight children (three sons who are all deceased - Willie “Billie” Eugene LeCounte (Katrina); Gregory (Annette), and Stephen Richardson; five daughters - Beverly Milton, Brenda Linton, Michelle Hargrove (Jerry), Louise Brown (Elton), and Audrey McGirt (JaDawn); 18 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren; two goddaughters (Davida Scriven and Danielle Holsey); and adopted son and daughter (Raymond and Yvonne White). Mother Ruth has been the Matriarch of Ruth L. Richardson Family Ties Club since 1960.
During her employment, Ruth Richardson worked at the plastic factory in Walthourville; Jesup Factory, Jesup; Quartermaster Laundry, Fort Stewart; and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office jail laundry in Hinesville.
Mother Ruth has a rich legacy of love and service, and has made a lasting impact, not only in Liberty County, but also at the national and international level. Her offspring span five generations and are making significant contributions to society. One of her sons, the late Gregory Richardson, served as mayor of Riceboro and one of her daughters, Louise Brown, currently serves on the Riceboro City Council. Her grandson Judge Michael McGirt is the first African American Chief Magistrate in Liberty County.
Her granddaughter, Delisha Milton-Jones, followed in her mother (Beverly Richardson Milton) and grandmother’s footsteps and became an outstanding world-renowned basketball player and coach. She is currently the head coach of Old Dominion University, and her jersey was recently retired by the WNBA’s LA Sparks. A two-time WNBA champion and a two-time Olympic-gold medalist, Delisha served as the most efficient presider for the birthday celebration.
During her lifetime, Mother Ruth has lived through the first liquid fueled rocket launch of 1926 (which lasted 2.5 seconds and traveled 4 feet); the Great Depression in 1929; World War II in 1939-45; first man on the moon in 1969; the Berlin Wall torn down in 1989; the start of the World Wide Web in 1990); 9/11 in 2001; first Black President elected in 2008; COVID 19 epidemic in 2020 (global lockdown); AI technology in 2021; and the United States’ 250 years celebration of Independence Day this year.
Before her health declined, Mother Ruth enjoyed fishing, growing flowers and being out in the garden, traveling, cooking, and watching basketball and softball. She still loves to watch basketball and softball.
At 100 years young, Mother Ruth Richardson is a magnet for love and affection as she remains the rock of her family, the tie that binds, and the peaceful, pleasant spirit that comforts and welcomes so many who are thankful for this family matriarch. This wise, alert, and sometimes talkative centenarian radiates joy, happiness, peace, and contentment.
At her royal celebration, Mother Ruth basked in the love coming from people assembled in the packed First Zion Baptist Church fellowship hall. From the prayers, songs, words of encouragement, and tributes, it was evident that she has made an impact on this community as well as outside the community. It was her day to celebrate, and the community showed her just how special she is.