Evelyn Marie Richards

Evelyn was born to Earnest Martin and Winifred Goffe in the sea side town of Long Beach, California on May 22, 1935. Her childhood was as active as the city around her. She was the ninth child of a family of ten children. She grew up tending family gardens, roller skating on hot summer days, playing tennis with her siblings and traveling with the family to Corona, California to see the car races on Grande Circle. The family moved to Pasadena where she graduated from the Pasadena City College School of Vocational Nursing.

Then she met Robert L Richards and her world completely changed. They lived in Ontario before settling down in Corona where they raised their two sons, Steven and Michael. While she was a stay-at-home Mom, she couldn't resist engaging in her true passion – fashion and interior décor – so she took on cottage industry work until her youngest was in 3 rd grade before trying her creative skills at photo retouching negatives for school pictures. She was exceptionally good at this and enjoyed the creative outlet. In 1992, her life took another turn as Bob died suddenly leaving her a widow at the age of 57. She filled the void in her life with involvement with the Gamma Xi Chapter of the Delta Chi Sigma Sorority Intl., and her grandsons. She spent her days watching baseball games, taking them to amusement parks, and when they got older helping with the non-profit Haunting of Corona where she became the 'grandma' of the group. In 1999 she thought she had found love again and married Paul Bennett, but the marriage ended in 2007.

Evelyn was proud of being the great-granddaughter of Rev. Jacob Adriance a Methodist circuit minister who helped found the first church in Denver Colorado. That church later became the Trinity Methodist Church and Rev. Adrance was its first pastor. He was also instrumental in founding churches in Central City, Golden and Boulder, Colorado.

She was also very influenced by her older sister, Lillie, whom she loved dearly. Lillie's daughters, Cori and Carlene, became like daughters to her. Her love of fashion was heavily influenced by Lillie. Both women wore the wedding dress Lillie designed and made. Later that dress was replicated, using the fabric of the wedding dress itself, in a doll which became Evelyn's most prized possession.

Evelyn passed from this world Saturday, March 21, 2026.

Evelyn was predeceased by husbands, Robert L Richards, and Paul Bennett, and grandson Kyle Richards.

She is survived by sons Steven Richards, Colorado; Michael Richards (Darcy), Texas; granddaughter, Kimberly Richards-Mason (Chris) and great granddaughter, MiKayla Richards, California; and grandson, Michael M. Richards, Texas,

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.