Dr. Emma Jeanne “Jeannie” Richmond passed away on November 26, 2023, at Huntsville Hospital.
Jeannie was born May 1, 1928, to William Lloyd and Eva Mae Downey in Morgantown, West Virginia. From an early age Jeannie was fond of school. She could not wait to start first grade. On one occasion, she followed her older brother to school and was upset because they would not admit her to his class.
After graduation from Morgantown High School, Jeannie earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and education at West Virginia University. Following this she worked one year for Parkersburg City Schools as a teacher. She then earned a master’s degree in educational psychology at Ohio University, where she met the love of her life, Bob Richmond. She continued her education at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where she earned a PhD in Psychology.
Jeannie began her professional career at Parma City Schools in Parma, OH. She relocated to Huntsville, Alabama with her husband where he continued employment with NASA and she was employed with the Huntsville City School System as a counselor in the Educational Improvement Program. She was employed later at George C. Marshall Space Flight Center as the first counselor in the newly established Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Jeannie retired from NASA in 1995.
Jeannie was a skilled portrait painter and loved dancing. She enjoyed dancing at the Elks Lodge.
Jeannie is survived by her husband, Robert John “Bob” Richmond. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, William “Bill” Downey and Arthur “Art” Downey.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. A funeral mass celebrating her life will follow at 10 a.m. A luncheon will be served after Mass at the church. Interment will be in Morgantown, WV.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your favorite charity.
