Lola Elvira (Barcus) Richards

Lola Elvira  Barcus Richards, 95, of Springfield, Virginia and formerly of Gallipolis, passed away early Wednesday, December 23, 2020 in the Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia. Born June 8, 1925 in Gallia County she was the oldest daughter of the late Clarence C. and Florilla Mae Plymale Barcus. Lola graduated from the Gallia Academy High School and promptly moved to Columbus, Ohio and proudly became a “Rosie the Riveter”. After the War, she met Frederick W. “Dick” Richards, a returning AAC Bomber piolet, and it was love at first sight. Lola and Dick had three sons, Keith Monzell, David Michael and Dana Scott, and adopted their first granddaughter, Karen Michelle. They toured the world courtesy pf the U.S. Air Force, but with multiple tours at the U.S. Pentagon, adopted Springfield, Virginia as their home.

Lola earned an Associate of Arts degree from NVCC in Fine Arts in 1980 and continued pursuing her artistic passions through a variety of media and artistic styles. She has had one-woman and juried shows in numerous galleries in Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio over the years, with some of her proudest moments when the French Art Gallery of Gallipolis hosted one month shows in honor of both her 80th and 90th birthdays. Her final art show was a one week/one woman exclusive in Fredericksburg, Virginia in the summer of 2019 at the age of 94.

Lola was a Charter member of the St. Stephens United Methodist Church of Burke, Virginia and proudly participated in the architectural design of the original SSUMC chapel. Her artwork has been frequently displayed within the church over the years.

Lola has always had an inclusive view of family. She is survived by two sons, David (Dannette) Richards and Dr. Dana (Dr. Nelda) Richards, both of Virginia, daughter-in-law, Ester Pastera Richards, of Virginia, Nine grandchildren, Karen Michelle, Jeremiah, Matthew, Paula, Timothy, Kevin, Jennifer, Meredith and Colin, Eleven great-grandchildren, Brittany, Chantel, Taylor, Courtney, Madison, Dustin, Austin, Madison, Kira, Juliette and Chloe and four great-great grandchildren, Lucas, Lola, Alexander and Angelo. Lola is also survived by four sisters, Kathryn Costen, Rebecca Unroe, Ernestine Mooney and Ina Belle Sibley, all of Gallipolis and her brother, Ray Barcus, of Gallipolis. She was preceded in death by her husband, Retired Col. Frederick W. Richards, on February 26, 1993, her oldest son, Keith Monzell Richards, on September 20, 2000 and sisters, Addie Jewell, Donna Keesee and Opal Halfhill and by a brother, Ralph Barcus.

Graveside funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, January 6, 2021 in the Mina Cemetery in Green Township. Officiating will be Pastor Paul Voss. Friends may call from Noon to 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Cremeens-King Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Lola’s memory to the St. Stephens United Methodist Church, 9203 Braddock Road, Burke, VA 22015 or the French Art Colony,  530 First Avenue, Gallipolis, OH 45631. Cremeens-King Funeral Home, locally owned and located at 75 Grape Street, is honored to serve the Richards family.

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