Pat R. Richards, age 96, of Bowling Green, KY, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Signature Healthcare. Pat was born January 26, 1930, in Farmersville, TX, to the late G. Lee Recer and the late Katie Pearl West. She is also preceded in death by her husband James Franklin Richards, a daughter, Marsha Lynn Garrett and brother, Donald Wane Recer.
She is survived by her sons, James Stephen “Steve” Richards, and David Bradley Richards (Lisa), daughter, Diedra Elaine Neil (Scott); grandchildren, Christopher Garrett (Jasmine), Stephanie Waldrup (Robert), Vaughan Franklin Richards, Caroline Grace Richards, Annelise Kathleen Richards, Connor Jacob Neil (Laura), and Jared Neil; four great-grandchildren also survive.
Pat was born into a farm family at the very beginning of the Great Depression. Life was difficult but filled with love. Her parents lost the farm and subsequently moved to New Mexico. It was there Pat grew up and as a teenager fell in love with the young man next door and when he went off to be an airman in the western Pacific Theater of WW2, they began a 2-year courtship by mail. They married on September 17, 1945, just 3 days after he returned home. One of the very first things they did as a couple was to begin studying the Bible together. From that beginning they made their faith in Jesus as Lord the bedrock on which every future life decision was founded. Pat was a devoted wife and mother. She and the love of her life raised 4 children and each of them attest to the fact that they were an amazing example of “two who became one.”
Pat was a woman of many skills and talents. She was a very talented artist with oil paints, embroidery thread, crochet thread or knitting yarn; she loved color and rendered that love into beautiful canvases, afghans, sweaters, tablecloths, quilts, clothes, even wedding dresses. She was always ready to help a friend, teach a children’s Sunday School Class or host the entire church for a backyard social. She was always there for anything her husband, her children or church family needed. The family has entrusted J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel with arrangements. Please check back in the next few days for memorial service date and time.
Comments