Richard Keith Humphries

Richard Keith Humphries, 58, died at his home in Columbus, Mississippi, this week. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he grew up in Aberdeen and Columbus. He graduated from Lee High School in 1976 and attended the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University before training to be a cosmetologist. He worked at salons in Columbus and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, as a master stylist before becoming an instructor at cosmetology schools in Mobile, Alabama. He retired in 2015 and returned to Mississippi.

He was a classic rock music fan with a quick wit who loved to read, ride horses and go boating. He leaves behind many people who loved him for his passions, talents, friendship and compassion. He also had an impressive collection of rubber chickens.

Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Frances Ree Palmer Humphries. He is survived by three sisters and their husbands, Myra and Thomas Oppel of Alexandria, Virginia, Margaret and David Green of Summerville, South Carolina, and Melba and Phillip Heard of Grenada, Mississippi; a brother, Ray Humphries of Cody, Wyoming; his father and stepmother, Edwin and Nelda Humphries of Columbus, Mississippi; nephews Craig Heard and Jackson and Samuel Oppel; nieces Rae Taylor, Brandi Johansson, Caitlin Green Kusnetzow, Kelsey Green and Abigail Oppel; great-nephews Tyler and Justin Heard; and great-nieces Macy Taylor and Mya, Isabel and Lucy Johansson.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Richard’s life at 4 p.m. Sunday at Tampico Bay restaurant, 1515 College St., in Columbus.

Gunter and Peel Funeral Home is handling arrangements.