Sarah C. Richards

Mrs. Sarah C. Richards passed away on Wed., 25 April 2012 after a prolonged illness. Sarah was born 19 Nov 1928 in Greenville SC to proud parents, William and Marie Crain. Sarah was a bright and intelligent lady who during WWII served in the US Coast Guard (SPAR) as a Radioman/Teletype Operator, and was Honorably Discharged near the end of the war in Miami FL., Where she met her future husband US Navy Chief Petty Officer Robert R Richards Sr. Through the late 1940’s through the early 1970’s, while a Navy wife, she and Bob Sr. (deceased Feb. 1993), raised 2 girls & 3 boys. She continued to care for and act as guide to the members of her family up to the time of her death.

She and her husband returned to Jacksonville FL, where he had been stationed many times previously in the early 1960’s when CPO Richards retired from the US Navy, to give their children some stability to finish high school. Robert Sr. went on to a second career as a Court Bailiff., retiring from the Court of Judge Moran, now Chief Judge in Jacksonville.

Sarah is survived by her daughter Patricia Koehler (husband Robert), her step-daughter Donna Richards, her three sons, William (wife Debbie), Donald (wife Debra), and Robert Jr. (wife Joan), with whom she resided and was cared for as she declined in health in the years since the passing of Robert Sr. She is also survived by grandsons, Buddy Martin, Robby Koehler, Donald Richards Jr., Justin Richards, Robert Richards III & granddaughters, Kimberly Clark, Melinda Morgan , Lori Beth Visconti, Stephanie Morales, Rachel Karst and Shawnee Hornbuckle, many great-grand-children and great-great grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. She was very much loved and respected by all in her family for whom she sacrificed much throughout her life in giving care to and embraces when necessary. None were turned away when help or a place to live was needed. She was the true model of a mother and grandmother to all in her family and was always there for them.

Sarah was a Member of the Eastern Star here in Jax FL as well as the American Legion & the Forty & Eight Veterans Org. She was a leader in advancing women into leadership positions within both organizations as one of the first women to serve as a Post Officer in Jacksonville Beaches American Legion Post 129 and was the very first woman in Florida to be admitted into the previously all-male Forty & Eight Veterans Org., when after 82 yrs., women were admitted.

Services for Sarah will be held at 2 pm Sunday April 29th at the HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL CHAPEL located at 1701 Beach Blvd. in Jax Beach FL., for family and friends wishing to attend. A reception following the service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jax Beach. Interment will be at a later date in a private ceremony at Warren Smith Cemetery, Jax Beach.