Fred Clark Richards

His parents were Thomas Shuford Richards and Nancy Clark Richards. Born in Caldwell County on May 29, 1927, he was preceded in death by sisters Jewel Childers, Colleen Pilkenton, and Mary Lee. His brothers Paul, Frank, Ned, Bob and Carl Richards also predeceased him. The late Belle Richards was his wife of 48 years. He was also predeceased by his second wife Faye Hartley Richards.

Those left to cherish his memory include one brother Dan Richards, two daughters, Audrey Richards Setzer and husband Robert; Diana Richards Helton and husband Don; Faye Hartley Richards’ daughters Evelyn and Lloyd Williams and Cherie and Jerry Holden. Mr. Richards’ five grandchildren are Elizabeth (Coleman) Hamby, Rebecca (Shawn) Davis, Stephen (Yoana) Setzer, Bryan (Ashley) Helton and Alisha (Erick)Helton Rosner. He had nine great grandchildren. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews.

Fred was a proud graduate of Lenoir High School and later attended Cleavenger Business School in Hickory after serving in the Army Airforce during WWII and early in the Korean War.

He and his bride Belle lived in Washington D.C. for a few years. After their daughters were born, they moved back to North Carolina and lived in Hudson for the rest of their lives. Fred worked at Lenoir Chair #1 for many years before retiring.

Mr. Richards began to attend First Baptist Church of Hudson in the early ‘60s. There he began the lifelong habit of personal Bible study. As he studied the crucifixion of Jesus, he realized that Christ’s death on the cross was for him. He publicly professed salvation in Christ and was baptized at HFBC. He served there as a deacon and a Sunday School teacher.

In 1972 he helped establish a new church in East Hudson called Ambassador Baptist Church. He remained a faithful member there until declining health prevented him from attending.

Visitation will be Tuesday at 12:00 with the funeral following at 1:00 p.m. at Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Robert Setzer will officiate the service.

Interment with military honors will be at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Thank you to Lori Joplin, Always Caring staff, Dr. Richard and Kirsten McBurney, Sixth floor nurses at Grace Hospital and the Hickory VA.

Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Fred Clark Richards.