Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." With this comforting scripture in mind, the family of Melanie Raye Richards rejoices in a life that was lived in devotion to her Lord and to her family. Melanie passed from this life to eternal life at her home on May 7th after a two year long battle with disease. Melanie was born on December 22, 1969 in Ardmore to Bill and Aleta Pierce. She lived the early years of her life in Lone Grove, graduating from Lone Grove High School in 1988. She married Scott Richards on December 23, 1988 in Ardmore. She had been an Ardmore resident for the past twenty-six years with her most recent employment as an insurance coder for the Bone and Joint Clinic of Southern Oklahoma. Melanie was an avid worker with the youth in her church family as she faithfully served alongside her husband Scott at Mary Niblack Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church where he served as youth Pastor. Melanie loved the outdoors and was very fond of her flower garden. She especially enjoyed hiking, camping and sightseeing with her family on many trips to Colorado. Going on mission trips brought great meaning and joy to her. Melanie was proceeded in death by her mother Aleta. "She is survived by husband Scott of the home and by son Jake of Edmond, Oklahoma, daughter Kacie Colbert and husband Dustin of Ardmore and granddaughter Emersyn Raye Colbert, by her father Bill Pierce and step-mom Sherry Pierce and by siblings Tammy Lewis of Colorado City, Tx., Kim Clark of Colorado City, Texas and Billy Pierce of Konawa, Oklahoma and a special cousin and friend Tara Hunt. Melanie was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Ardmore. A celebration service of her life and her love will be held at First Baptist Ardmore at 2:00 on Monday May 11th. Interment will follow at the McAlister Cemetery in Overbrook. Brother Terry Tolbert and Brother Robert Wilson will officiate. Serving as pallbearers will be Mat Robson, Mikie Robson, Zachary Robson, Tyrell Robson, Zeke Pierce and Noah Pierce. Honorary bearer will be Billy Baker. The services are under the direction of Craddock Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 5:00 Sunday afternoon at the Craddock Funeral Home. Memorials may be left to the Baptist Home for Girls 13976 Anthony Lane Madill, Ok. 73446