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Vera Opal (Ward) Richard was born January 8, 1921 to Charlie E. and Lillie Mae (Capps) Ward in Stilwell, Oklahoma. She departed this life in Miami, Oklahoma on March 21, 2016 at the age of 95 years, 2 months, and 13 days. She was the 3rd of 9 children born.
At the age of 17, she married Merl B. Richard from Ft. Wayne, Indiana in San Francisco, Ca. on September 23, 1938. They moved to Westville in 1942 into the house on the farm at Old Green Community that is still in the family today. She remained in that house for 67 years before moving into her daughter's house in Pryor, Oklahoma due to health reasons.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 20 years, Merl B. Richard, her parents Charlie E and Lillie Mae (Capps) Ward, 4 Brothers: Charlie Ward, Wattie Ward, Carl Ward and Floyd Ward, 2 Sisters: Juanita (Ward) Blackburn and Zelma Mae (Ward) Poor and 1 son-in-law, Lloyd Gifford of Pryor, Oklahoma.
She is survived by her two children: George W. Richard and wife June of Westville, Ok. and Elsie Mae (Richard) Gifford of Pryor, Oklahoma. 7 Grandchildren: Sandy (Gifford) and husband John Foley of Miami, Oklahoma, Katrina (Gifford) Newton of Pryor, Oklahoma, Joyce (Gifford) and husband Jack Downing of Pryor, Oklahoma, Kenny Richard and spouse Lisa Cooper of Westville, Oklahoma, Joanie (Richard) and husband Don Riead of Blue Springs, Missouri, Jeanie (Missy) Richard of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Janet (Richard) and husband Eddie Cox of Summers, Arkansas, 23 great grandchildren and 18 great-great grandchildren.
In her lifetime, she experienced the Roaring 20's, survived the Great Depression, saw World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War just to name a few. She lived to see 16 US Presidents, first flight of the helicopter and the addition of Alaska and Hawaii to the union.
She was a lifetime housewife, farmer and avid gardener. She lived a very productive and fulfilled life. She had a great personality and wasn't afraid to express her discontent. She loved the outdoors. She would often take her .410 shotgun and go squirrel hunting. She had a green thumb and could grow anything. She knew the names of all the mushrooms, trees, bushes and flowers. She had the rare ability to live off the land. One of her favorite things to do would be to pull wild onions and watercress and prepare them with her meals. She hosted many friends and family members on many occasions for holidays, birthday celebrations and cooked many meals for so many. She was very attached to her household pets and loved to sew. She has hand stitched and machine sewn many quilt tops and afghans for all of her children and grandchildren. She absolutely loved her children and grandchildren and will be dearly missed. Her shoes will be a challenge to fill.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 24, 2016 at Roberts & Hart.
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