Mary Dean Richards

Mary Dean Turner Richards passed into glory peacefully on April 3, 2019 in Lake Wales, Florida at the age of 80 after battling Alzheimer's Disease for a number of years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Robert Lee Richards, daughter Susanne Charlene Richards, son Dean Turner Richards, and grandson Robert William Richards.

Mrs. Richards is survived by her daughter, Jeanette "Gigi" Richards Savant and husband David Savant of Winter Haven, FL; son, Lee Andrew Richards and wife Andrea Richards of Aiken, SC; seven grandchildren, Andrew Savant, Jeanette Savant Wingate, Wade Savant, Mary Catherine Savant Tuten, Anna Caroline Richards, Chapman Richards, Eliza Wade Richards, and nine great-grandchildren.Mary Dean was born in Augusta, Georgia on December 22, 1938 to John Dean and Mary Wade Turner. She spent the majority of her life in Charleston, SC where she graduated from the College of Charleston with a BA in French and a MA in International Studies. She was actively involved in the Charleston Tourism Industry in many and varied ways. She was president of The Charleston Gateway Inc., publisher of Gateway to Historic Charleston magazine, along with other publications such as The Charleston Coloring Book, and Charleston Map Guide. She served as the Director of Daytime Activities for Spoleto Festival USA, on the board of directors of the Charleston Travel Council, assistant director of the International Studies Program at the College of Charleston, board of directors of the Young Charleston Theater Company, SC World Trade Commission, and as Honorary German Consul for South Carolina.

When not passionately pursuing opportunities to support tourism in Charleston and South Carolina, both locally and abroad, Mary Dean enjoyed reading, collecting antiques, traveling, horses, and beach life on Edisto Island. She was an active member of St Johns Parish Church on Johns Island, and later at Trinity Episcopal Church on Edisto Island. In her retirement, Mary Dean moved to Lake Murray, SC to be near her family and became an associate member at Lexington Presbyterian Church, and later moved to Lake Wales, FL in her final years.

A funeral and graveside ceremony is scheduled for 2:00 pm on Friday, April 12, 2019, at St Johns Parish Church, 3673 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, SC with a reception following at the church. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Savant-Sweet Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Redeemer City Church, 1410 Dundee Road, Winter Haven, FL 33884.