Patricia W (Wilson) Richard

The sun rose on the morning of April 25, 1948, in Tampa, Florida, as life began for Patricia Ann Wilson. She was born to Otis Wilson and Marie Smith Wilson, who preceded her in death. She was the fifth of seven children. Four brothers (Otis Jr., James Curtis, Jeffery, and Woodrow) preceded her in death.

Patricia confessed her belief in Jesus Christ and joined the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church of Tampa. She actively served her church and community until her professional endeavors took her away from Tampa.
She was educated in the public schools of Hillsborough County and graduated from Middleton High School. She matriculated at Bethune Cookman College of Daytona Beach, Florida, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She furthered her studies at Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama, where she earned her master's degree in Early Childhood Education.

She met the love of her life, William Richard, and after a brief courtship, they were joined together in Holy Matrimony. They made their home in Albany, Georgia.

Patricia started her professional career as an Early Childhood Educator in both South Carolina and Florida before moving to Albany, Georgia. She served as Director of the Early Childhood/Title XX Program at Albany State College and the Director/Dean of the Early Childhood Program, from its inception, at Albany Area Vocational Technical School, which is presently Albany Technical College. After many years of dedicated service, she retired from Albany Technical College in December of 2002. Patricia designed the present Child Development Demonstration Center on the campus of Albany Technical College, Newton Road.

To know Patricia is to know that she was a giant in the area of Early Childhood Education. She unselfishly shared her professional expertise with many providers of Child Care Services in the area. She assisted with the design of the Child Care Center on the campus of Albany State University. She spent many hours of her time in assessment of Child Development Associate Credentialing for several employees of Child Care Facilities in the Southwest Georgia Region.

Accomplishments and Affiliations:

• Technical Colleges of Georgia - Commissioner's Award of Excellence in Leadership
• Accolades from President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, and his wife Tipper Gore.
• Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®
• Silver Star Member of Delta Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She served on many committees and as former Treasurer for the chapter.
• Membership in the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Georgia Association on Young Children.

The sunset on the life of Patricia Richard early on Tuesday morning at 1:46, June 7, 2022, at the Willson Hospice House.

She leaves a legacy of love and service to her devoted and loving husband of 46 years, William Richard; one brother, Paul (Carol) Wilson, Pontiac, Michigan; one sister, Mary (Bennie) Washington, Plant City, Florida; a mother-in-law, Amanda Girtman, Cairo, Georgia; three sisters-in-law, Ellen Wilson, Pontiac, Michigan; Denise Wilson, Largo, Florida; and Gloria Filmore, Cairo, Georgia; two God sons, Jaydon Wilson, Pontiac, Michigan; Nicholas Mallard, Albany, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends who loved her dearly.

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