Nell Flower

Nell Richards Flower was a sister, wife, aunt, grandma and great-grandma. She was a Christian. She was a Methodist. She was a Democrat. She was born into a horse and buggy world and kept in touch with her grandchildren by email. And when she begrudgingly left this earth on Saturday, August 22 in South Haven at age 89, she was first and foremost a mom––to the children she taught, to her siblings, nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and of course to her three sons. Born July 6, 1926 in Owingsville, KY to Clara and Thorton Kimbrough (TK) Richards, Nell was the oldest of six children. Married and widowed at 18, she went on to earn her teaching degree from the University of Kentucky with a major in home economics. After graduating, she accepted a job in Grant, Michigan, and moved north to start a new life.  There, she fell in love with Wallace (Wally) Flower, a decorated war veteran.

Married in 1951, Nell and Wally followed his teaching career from Williamston to South Haven and Berrien Springs; there she resumed teaching while juggling a busy home and church activities. Nell and Wally moved to Buchanan for a time before returning to South Haven. Their  marriage lasted more than 60 years, until Wally’s death in 2012, and their love story continues now in eternity.

Nell is survived by her brothers Billy (Edna) and Bobby (Wuanda) Richards of Owingsville, KY, James (Brenda) and Carroll (Shirley) Richards of Trenton, OH,  and her sister, Mary (Charles) Gillespie, of Lebanon, OH; her sons, John (Richard) of Kansas City, and Bill (Debbie) and Paul (Lori) of South Haven; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In addition to her beloved Wally, she was preceded in death by two children, Susan Leigh and Mary Ruth.  As she is reunited with those she lost, Nell leaves behind an amazing life story, framed by family members, students and friends who will forever cherish her raised eyebrow, her easy laugh, her wicked sense of humor, her unquenchable spark and her loving touch.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church of South Haven with Rev. John Fisher officiating. Nell will be laid to rest in Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven. Contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of South Haven or We Care, I.N.C. in Nell’s memory.