Ila Ruth Richards

Ila Ruth (Cook) Richards, 84, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2023, in her home in Jackson, TN surrounded by her family.  Even through the last few years with the effects of Dementia, her loving spirit still permeated the lives of her family, friends and caregivers.

Ruth was born in Dyersburg, TN on December 18,1938, to her parents, Herschel and Oma Cook.  She married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Richards of Dyersburg, TN, and would have been celebrating their 65th anniversary this month.  Her career was a true calling for her as she was a preschool teacher at both First Baptist Church in Dyersburg, TN and Jackson, TN, spanning nearly 30 years.  Apart from her family, she most enjoyed spending time with her "Coffee Club" and her church family.  She was the model homemaker and hostess and enjoyed playing the piano and singing hymns.  Ruth's love and kindness towards others was exceeded only by her love and devotion to her Savior, Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 65 years, Jerry C. Richards; three children, Tammy Ruth Richards Sylvia (Rick), of Virginia Beach, VA; Jerry Marvin Richards, of Jackson, and Timothy T. Richards (Ivy) of Moscow, TN;  seven grandchildren, Lindsey Huang (Stephen) of Charlotte, NC, Jerry Meredith Richards (Briana) of Jonesboro, AR, Kramer Mayberry (Hailey) of Virginia Beach, VA, Soren Richards, Abigail Ruth Richards, Ian Richards, and Josiah Richards; four great-grandchildren, Owen Haung, Mackenzie Ruth Haung, Jerry Edward Richards and Wes Arthur Richards; and many adoring nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Herschel and Oma Cook of Dyersburg; her siblings, Meredith Cook, Thomas (Bubba) Cook both of Dyersburg, Evelyn Rook, of Bruceton, TN, Milton Cook of Little Rock, AR, Charlotte Ray of Roellen, TN and Carolyn Simmons of Dyersburg/Jackson, TN.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 14, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Jackson, TN with Reverend Todd Brady officiating.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the church.  Immediately following the service at 1:00 p.m. there will be a processional to Fairview Cemetery in Dyersburg, TN with the interment service to be held at 3:00 p.m. 

Kramer Mayberry, Jerry Meredith Richards, Soren Richards, Ian Richards, Stephen Huang and Rick Sylvia will serve as pallbearers.

The family wishes that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of Jackson, TN or Dyersburg, TN designated to the Lotte Moon Missions.

Funeral services will be under the direction of Curry Funeral Home.  We are privileged and honored to serve the Richards family.  Online condolences can be made at www.curryfuneral.com.