Alda Richards Bratcher

Alda Richards Bratcher, beloved aunt and friend to many, peacefully transitioned on October 10, 2023. Alda was born on August 10, 1934, in Wilmington, Delaware.  She was the last of three children born to Mildred Boyer Richards of Port Deposit, MD, and Howard R. Richards Sr, of Salisbury, MD. 

Alda graduated from Howard High School in Wilmington, DE, and attended Bowie Teacher’s College, now known as Bowie State University, and received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Soon after graduation, Alda was hired as an elementary school teacher at Fairmont Heights Elementary School in Prince George’s County, Maryland. She taught at Fairmont Heights Elementary School for over 25 years, until it was closed down to make way for the desegregation of Prince George’s County Public Schools. Alda married Andrew W. Bratcher, of Wilmington, DE. No children were born of this marriage.

After the closing of Fairmont Heights Elementary School, Alda was moved to Lewisdale Elementary School in Hyattsville, Maryland, where she served for 30 years as a second and third grade teacher.  Alda was well regarded by students, colleagues, and parents alike, known for going above and beyond to ensure every student was loved and challenged to be the best they could be.  She taught hundreds of students throughout Prince George’s County, often running into students from more than three generations, who all spoke of her commitment to teaching all students.

Alda lived a full life. She loved to shop, visit the casino, and eat well. She adored animals, especially dogs, and spent most of her adult years accompanied by various pets. Swifty, a German Shepherd, was her most fond pet, whom she cooked for regularly. Her most recent pet, Gravy, was a Cockatoo that enjoyed gourmet bird food and only Spring water.  Alda was also an avid shopper and loved stylish clothes and shoes. Not a week went by when Alda did not purchase new clothes and shoes, with very few items being worn more than once. The casino was also one of her favorite places to visit, often being the only one to walk away with large winnings amongst her family and friends.

Alda was preceded in death by her parents; her only brother, Howard R. “Junior” Richards Jr; her only sister, Elizabeth “Adelaide” (Richards) Blake. She is survived by her aunt, Margretta Vance (Boyer) Milburn of Atlanta, GA; eleven nieces and nephews: Be’Wanda (Blake) Bey Alexander of Bowie, MD, Benito Blake of Wilmington, DE, Larry Richards of Baltimore, MD, Gregory Blake of Smyrna, DE, Deborah Jean (Richards) McClucken of Baltimore, MD, Allen Richards of Baltimore, MD, Gloria (Richards) Cox of Baltimore, MD, Howard R. Richards III of Baltimore, MD, Marcus Richards of Baltimore, MD, Jerry Richards Sr. of Baltimore, MD, and Alma Richards of Baltimore, MD, a host of great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, October 21, 2023, 12 Noon, at the Lee A. Patterson & Son Funeral Home, P.A., of Perryville, MD. Visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday, October 21, 2023, 10 AM until 12 Noon, at the funeral home prior to the funeral service. Interment will be in Berkeley Memorial Cemetery, Darlington, MD.

Services will be Live-streamed via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/LeeAPattersonFuneralHome.   Webcast will appear about 5 minutes prior to the service.

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