Rheba Iris Richard

Rheba Iris Richard
Rheba Iris Richard, 94, passed away very peacefully at her home in Springfield, VA, on October 31, 2025. She was predeceased by her husband, Warren Richard, her eldest son, Kenneth Dale Richard, and her parents, Hattie and Thomas Wimmer.
The youngest of nine children, Rheba was born in the family home in Copper Hill, VA. She attended Check High School in Bent Mountain, VA, where she was an outstanding student athlete. Basketball and softball were her favorite sports, and Home Economics and English were her favorite subjects. She was the first and only child in her family to finish high school, and she graduated third academically in her class, requiring her to make a speech on graduation day.
High school was also where she met the love of her life, Warren, at age 15 or 16. They married on November 22, 1950, and the rest is history. Warren was her first and only steady boyfriend. It was love at first sight, and they loved and respected each other more than anyone could imagine. They celebrated 68 years of marriage here on Earth and will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary together in heaven. Our loss and grief are great, but our joy at the thought of the two of them together again far exceeds our grief.
Rheba prided herself on being the best mother, grandmother, wife and friend she could possibly be. She loved people, and she always put others' needs ahead of her own. She was a very talented person, but her favorite passion was sewing. There wasn't anything she could not create or make, from clothes for a wooden antique doll to leisure suits for Warren (when they were in style) and clothes for herself and all of her family members. And, of course, we cannot forget the holiday outfits she made for her infamous ceramic goose. She also loved to embroider pictures and pillows and to do all kinds of crafts. She was a very active member of the Franconia United Methodist Church for over 50 years. She and the women's groups provided many services to the church and made various decorations for the church, some of which may be visible to this day.
Rheba kept her home immaculately clean and neat; not a nook nor a cranny escaped Rheba's hands. Windows so clean one had to remind themselves they were actually looking through a window. Hardwood floors so waxed and shined you could see your reflection in them; so slick from the wax, you had to be careful not to slip and fall. She also loved working outside to keep their yard as clean and neat as the inside of the house. Her energy was endless.
Rheba enjoyed playing outdoor games like cornhole, horse shoes and of course, shooting hoops with the family or neighborhood kids, as well as indoor games like dominoes and Wii bowling. You could count on her being in the middle of any game anyone wanted to play. At the age of 66, Rheba was given an adult tricycle, and she of course immediately made seat and basket covers for it. She loved that "bike" and rode all over the neighborhood up until her early 80's. While the bike provided great physical exercise for her, it also caused people to stop and talk with her. If you met Rheba only once, you knew how much she loved to talk.
Rheba was nicknamed "Toots" by her father when she was only 6 weeks old, and she was known as Toots by her parents, siblings and many nieces and nephews from that point on. However, after her first grandchild was born, she became "Big Momma" to not only her grand- and great-grandchildren but also to the neighbors and many others, most recently her caregivers.
Rheba will be remembered as the most caring, kind, generous, strong and loving person to her family and so many others. She devoted her life to providing the best of everything to her husband, children and grand- and great-grandchildren. May she rest in peace and may her memory be a blessing.
She is survived by her children, Debra, Larry (Terri) and the late Kenneth Richard (Judy Johnson); grandchildren, Christopher Richard, Justin Richard, Heather Dudney (John) and Thomas Richard; and, great-grandchildren, Charles and Maxwell Dudney.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 12, at Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA, 22310, with viewing at 10 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at Quantico National Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 13.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Franconia United Methodist Church or to your favorite charity.