Thelma Louise Rich

Thelma Louise Rich

Thelma Louise Rich, 93, of Cape Girardeau, and formerly of Anna, went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, July 20, 2017, at 9:25 p.m.

She was born on Dec. 4, 1923, the daughter of Dugan and Agnes Tripp of rural Cobden.

She married Fred Rich on Aug. 24, 1942, in Cape Girardeau. After over 60 years of marriage, Fred passed away on Oct. 6, 2003.

She is survived by four daughters, Janice Kay Kimmich-Choate of Cape Girardeau, Judy Gail Casper (Ron) of Gordonville, Mo., Leta Rose Smith (Blayne) of Cobden and Becky Ellen Oakley (John) of Benton, Ky.; 10 grandchildren, Teresa Thrower (Tony) of Jackson, Mo., Rhonda Ruark (Mark) of Cape Girardeau, Angela Graviett (Jeff) of Jackson, Mo., Darren Casper (Kelli) of Imperial, Mo., Carrie Stroup (Jason) of Gordonville, Mo., Amanda Sheridan (Brad) of Anna, Kallie Smith (fiance, Patrick) of Ferguson, Mo., Meredith Frey (Harold) of Cobden, Sarah Luczkiw (Tim) of Athens, Ohio, and Logan Oakley (Taylor) of Nashville, Tenn.; 19 great-grandchilren, Travis, Austin and Reagan Thrower, Jay, Nick and Nathan Ruark, Kirstan and Blake Graviett, Garrett and Miranda Metje, Jordan and Zachary Casper, Carson and Mollie Stroup, Thaniel Sheridan, Tripp Barry, Naomi, Cora and Victoria Frey and one more on the way; two great-great-grandsons, Payton Ruark and Luke Mirgeaux.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Frank Tripp, Mary Keith, Catherine Dillow, Charles Tripp, Glenn Tripp and Betty Taylor; and her twin great-granddaughters, Iris Mae and Josephine Louise Sheridan.       

She grew up in a large and loving family on a beautiful farm, where she attended Pleasant Ridge School and Pleasant Ridge Church.   She and Fred later farmed and lived on that same farm for almost 50 years before retiring in rural Anna.

At the time of her passing, she was the oldest living member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, having been a member since the age of 16.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother.  She was a very hard worker who relished taking care of her home, family and farm.  The farm included dairy cows and she worked alongside first her father and then her husband in the often arduous but rewarding task of farming.

She was active in her church and her hobbies included gardening, reading, quilting and she was known for making her delicious Christmas candy.  She especially enjoyed flower gardening and belonged to the Anna Garden Club. She often helped judge quilts at the Union County Fair.       

For the last five years of her life, she resided with her daughter, Kay Kimmich-Choate, of Cape Girardeau.        

Funeral services for Mrs. Rich were at 1 p.m. Monday, July 24, in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, with Darren Casper officiating. Interment was in the Cobden Cemetery. 

Memorials can be made to Southeast Missouri Hospice.

To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna was in charge of arrangements.

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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