Local senior citizens advocate dies

GAINESVILLE - A longtime advocate for senior citizens in the Gainesville area has died.

Deke Richards, 71, died Friday at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Richards was a part of the original Meals on Wheels in Hall County in the early 1970s when only 16 meals each were served from two locations.

He was retired from the City of Gainesville as a social worker, with over 37 years of service.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 Thursday, March 5, at the First Baptist Church on Green Street.

(A full obituary can be found on the AccessNorthGa.com Obituaries Page.)