Darlene (Evitts) Richards, age 72, of Centralia, went to be with her Savior in the early morning hours on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at Barnes Hospital after a lengthy battle.
Darlene was born March 17, 1949, at her homestead in Glendale, Illinois, daughter of the late Whitnel and Edna Mae (Hertter) Evitts. On March 24, 1967, she married Michael G. Richards in Glendale. They have two daughters, Darla Miller and husband Brian and Holly Davis and husband Andy, three precious grandchildren, Madison Miller, Riley Miller, and Grant Davis, all of Centralia.
Darlene was a 1967 graduate of Pope County Community High School. She went on to receive her cosmetology license. After a few years, she returned to school to complete her teaching certification. She provided instruction and managed the Centralia School of Cosmetology for several years, then purchased the school and continued to manage it for 11 years.
Darlene lived in the Centralia community for over 50 years. She was an active member of the Centralia Free Methodist Church and served the church through a variety of ministries. Her love of Jesus was displayed through her ministry of loving and caring for those of her church family, friends, and relatives. She loved cooking delicious meals for others, often feeding 30-40 family members on special occasions. Her family was her life. She enjoyed making crafts, camping, and participating in large family gatherings. A special ministry of sending cards was a passion of hers. Hundreds of cards would be sent each year and continued as her health failed. She often said, “Even if I can’t actively participate in church, I can still send cards.”
Surviving are two sisters, Frances Schuchardt and husband Norris of Glendale; Barbara Bender and husband Bill of Houston, Texas; one brother, Charles G. Evitts and wife Barbara of Paducah, Kentucky; two sisters-in-love, Donna Evitts of Branson, Missouri; Ethel Bates of Vienna, Illinois; brothers-in-love, Tom Richards and wife Jenny of Harrisburg, Illinois; Jim Richards and wife Joann of Goreville; sister-in-love, Linda Daugherty and husband Mick of Dahlgren and three generations of nephews and nieces, all of whom loved her very much as she loved them. Darlene had many cousins who she held dear to her heart as well. She was also blessed with special “sisters” Tonia Davis (Jeff) and Lisa Brothers (the late Michael Brothers) of Centralia.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Howard Evitts, Kenneth Evitts, George Evitts, Michael Evitts; sister, Mildred Bailey, Alice Ann Broadway; father-in-love, Rev. Tom Richards; mother-in-love, Betty Richards; brothers-in-love, John Bailey, Stanley Broadway; sisters-in-love, Mary Alice Evitts and Pam Richards; nephew, Allen Bailey.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at Foundation Church (Centralia Free Methodist Church) in Centralia. The family will be available from 5:30 until the start of service to greet family and friends. Refreshments will be served following the service.
The funeral will be held at Darlene’s home church in Glendale. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at Glendale United Methodist Church with Rev. Phillip Poe officiating. Visitation will be held from noon until the time of the service. Interment will follow the service at the Glendale Cemetery. For more information, you may visit www.alyfh.com.
Memorials may be made to the Glendale Cemetery Fund, C/O Charlotte Benard, 45 Cedar Grove Road, Simpson, IL 62985.
