Alice Richards Olmsted

Alice Richards Olmsted, 84, La Plata, MD

Alice Richards Olmsted, 84, of La Plata, died peacefully early on 1 January 2019, surrounded by her family. She was born in White Plains on 7 November 1934 to the late Philip Warren Richards and Hazel Berry Willett Richards. Her forebears lived in and near Charles County for hundreds of years. 

She is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Franklin B. Olmsted; her devoted children:  Julia Olmsted Beaudry, William Franklin Olmsted and Edward Warren Olmsted; six loving grandsons:  Andrew Franklin, Zachary William, Franklin Alexander, Charles Edward, Ethan James and James Aaron Olmsted; her cherished sister Phyllis Regina Grimes; twelve nieces and nephews; and many grandnieces and grandnephews.  Her three older sisters, Agnes Richards Langley, Mary Estelle DeMarr and Elsie Louise Richards, all died earlier.

A lifelong resident of Charles County, she grew up on her family's farm, Pleasant Fields, where she helped raise tobacco, corn and a variety of livestock.  She graduated from La Plata High School in 1953 and began her career as a legal secretary and bookkeeper at a local law firm.  There she met her husband, Frank, and they were married on 3 June 1961 at St. Peter’s Church in Waldorf, MD.  She joined him at his own newly established law practice in La Plata where they worked side-by-side for decades.  She and Frank enhanced the practice by inviting their sons to join them after law school. 

An avid genealogist, Alice applied her knowledge of legal processes to further her research and discovered many formerly unknown family connections, along with some interesting historical tidbits. She also loved to play card games, especially duplicate bridge, and achieved the rank of Silver Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League.  Known for her generosity, competitive spirit and sense of humor, she will be greatly missed.

Friends will be received on Sunday, 6 January 2019, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., with prayers beginning at 7 p.m. and on Monday, 7 January 2019 from 11 a.m until 12 p.m. at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, 211 St. Mary’s Ave, La Plata, MD 20646.  The funeral will be held on Monday, 7 January 2019, at 1 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church, 3320 St. Peter’s Drive, Waldorf, MD 20601. Burial to follow in the church cemetery.  Father Keith A. Woods will officiate.  Pallbearers will be her grandsons Andrew, Zachary, Franklin, Charles, Ethan and James Olmsted, her son-in-law, Edward A. Beaudry, and Messrs. Michael B. Millett and Karl R. Grebe.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Ct., Glen Allen, VA 23060-9979.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alice Richards Olmsted, please visit our floral store.