Betty Jewel (Elder) Richter
April 24, 1930 — October 18, 2013
Betty Jewel Elder-Coats-Culbreath-Richter, resident of the Gallaway Community, one of the first Commissioned Female Police Officers in Memphis and wife of Charles Edward "Charlie" Richter departed this life Friday afternoon, October 18, 2013 at her residence. She was 83 years of age and died following an extended illness.
Services of Remembrance for Mrs. Richter were conducted at 11 A.M. Monday, October 21st at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland. Interment followed in the Poplar Grove Cemetery in the Drummonds Community. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center – West Chapel at Oakland.
Mrs. Richter was born April 24, 1930 in Memphis. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie Elder and Clara Russell Elder. She received her education in the Memphis City Public School System and was employed as a commissioned police officer for the City of Memphis for 23 years before her retirement a number of years ago.
Mrs. Richter was married March 15, 1985 to Charles Edward "Charlie" Richter, a retired barn builder, who survives. She resided in the Gallaway Community for the past 29 years and was a member of the Gallaway First Baptist Church. She enjoyed collecting angels, watching old movies and decorating at Christmastime. She was a family-oriented person and special times with her family and friends were an important part of her life.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Richter is survived by three daughters, Debra Harris of Saltillo, MS, Shirley Antwine of Eads, Sandra Messer (Tim) of Stigler, OK; two sons, Donald Coats of Brownsville, TN, James Coats of Mountain City, TN; her brother, Eugene Hastings of Memphis; eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Jim Elder and Ronald Hastings.
Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Jason Harris, Joseph Harris, R.J. Montgomery, Michael Antwine, Melvin Forte and Josh Messer.
The family requests that memorials be directed to Fayette Cares, P.O. Box 326, Somerville, TN 38068.