The Cleveland community has suffered a great loss with the passing of a one of a kind philanthropist, Alyce West Richardson.

Richardson, 79, passed away Friday at her home.

Richardson was the first female president of the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce and held that title from October 1975-September 1976 and received the first President’s Award in 1973 for the Living Historical Farm project, which she headed. She was also active on many other committees at the chamber.

Richardson touched many lives during her lifetime and has left behind a legacy of compassion and support for her community.

Marcie Walt said Richardson was probably one of the smartest women she’d ever known and was a true leader.

“She was just one of a kind,” said Walt. “She was a businesswoman and ahead of her time as far as business. She was a strong woman, who was very intelligent.

“She practically raised me — I feel like,” she said. “She was just one of a kind.”

Richardson is a graduate of Cleveland High School, Delta State University, where she earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration with first honors.

“She was a huge supporter of women’s basketball coach Margaret Wade,” said Keith Fulcher. “She support Delta State women’s basketball for as long as I could remember.

“I believe she played for Margaret while she was in high school,” said Fulcher. “She and her husband both supported Delta State and generously supported Delta State financially.

“We will deeply miss her,” he said. “DSU will greatly miss Alyce Richardson.”

She was the co-owner of West Implement Co. until it was sold in 1983 and served on the Board of Directors for the State Bank and Trust.

“She’s a good lady,” said Homer Ballard. “I worked for her for years.

“She's a real nice lady,” said Ballard. “She always helped her employees — she and her brother, Clayton.”

Richardson was very active in the community and had served on countless committees, boards and served in numerous capacities.

She served as president, vice-president and secretary for Delta State Alumni Association and won the DSU outstanding Alumni Award in 1972.

Richardson was a member of DSU Circle of ODK, director of DSU Foundation and a member of the Mississippi Inter-Alumni Council. She served several years on the alumnae advisory board for Kappa Delta sorority and Gamma Psi Chapter at Delta State.

She served as president of Cleveland Junior Auxiliary and was a life member. She served as president and first vice-president of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries.

Richardson served several years on the Ladies Committee for the Mid-South Farm Equipment Association and was chairman of the group for 1972-1973. In 1974, she was master of ceremonies for Ladies Night for the Bolivar County Farm Bureau.

“We just depended on her for everything whether it was Junior Auxiliary or anything else,” said Sue King. “We just depended on her for everything.”

“I thought the world of her,” said David Work. “She's been very, very active in our community over the years.”

Richardson served as president on the United Givers Fund, secretary-treasurer of the Bolivar County Expo Center and was a member of the steering committee for the City of Cleveland-Delta State University Bicentennial.

She was a member of Delta Area Council Boy Scouts of America Executive Board, a member of the Governor’s Committee for Children and Youth, secretary of the Kethley Scholarship Fund and secretary of 16th Section Committee.

Richardson was also a member of the Bolivar County Historical Society, Crosstie Arts Council, Mississippi Historical Society, Mississippi Economic Council, Delta Council, Delta Revelers and a charter member of the Association for Living Historical Farms and Agricultural Museums.

She served as secretary-treasurer of West Implement Company, Inc. and West Machine Shop, Inc.

Richardson was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland where she served as an elder, the Marguerite Bolling Circle member, a choir member and was on the church finance committee. Also, she was the Presbyterian Day School Board of Trustees secretary.

“She did a lot,” said Work. “Her husband, Rich, was an original officer of the port commission.

“She spent many hours traveling with us, getting the port commission approved,” he said. “She was a very outstanding community worker.

“I think the world of her family,” said Work. “Our community has had a big loss. She was very, very active in the community over the years.”

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland with Rev. Sid Harmon officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, July 25, 2010, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ray Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland, 1100 Highway 8, Cleveland, Ms 38732, Delta State University Foundation – Margaret Wade Memorial, Cleveland, Ms 38733 and National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, P.O. Box 1873, Greenville, Ms 38702.