Helen Lenora (Atchley) Richards was born December 6, 1939, in Wynnewood, to the late Bennie A. and Dorothy (Harper) Atchley. She died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Davis, at the age of 84. In early January 1961, while attending a dance, Helen met Frankie Monroe Richards, and the couple was married three short weeks later, on January 25th, in Ardmore. Together they danced the next fifty-five plus years, until his death on August 10, 2016.
Helen grew up in the Chigley area, where she attended a one room schoolhouse, until moving to Davis, her eighth-grade year.
Helen was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Davis for many years.
Survivors include two daughters, Janet Coll and husband Jerry, and Mary Richards, both of Davis; three sons, Tim Richards and Ben Richards and wife Maria, both of Davis, and Bruce Richards and wife Teri, of Paoli; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; three sisters, Phyllis Conry, Wilma Brantley and husband Howard, and Sharon Ingram; two brothers, Virgil Atchley and John Atchley and wife Debbie;and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her parents and husband, Helen was preceded in death by three brothers, Charles, Willie and James Atchley; one sister, Ozie Bryant; a niece; nephews; and special cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, Jan.17, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Davis, with Pastor Roger Rounsaville officiating. Interment will follow at the Green Hill Cemetery in Davis.
Services are entrusted to Hale’s Funeral Home of Davis. Online condolences may be offered at halesfuneralhomes.com.
