Nancy Lee Richards

Nancy Lee Richards, age 94, of Fayetteville, died July 4, 2012, in Fayetteville. She was born June 8, 1918, in Grafton, Ill., to Joseph William and Maude Ethel Render Newland. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Walter James Richards; and a son, Robert N. Richards. She was also preceded in death by her mother and father; her sister, Virginia Derringer of Colorado; brother, J.W. Newland of Tulsa, Okla.; and nephew, William Newland of Tulsa, Okla. Her father also died on the 4th of July years ago. Nancy grew up in Grafton and later, Alton and Chautauqua, Ill., attending school in Alton where she graduated from high school. Chautauqua was a resort community on the Mississippi River where she spent the Depression years growing up, developing a strong sense of frugality, and meeting an abundance of friends with whom she kept in contact throughout her life. Her talents in ping-pong lead to attendance at the University of Arkansas, where she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and met her future husband, Walter Richards. She was one of the first women in some of the university physical education programs at the University of Arkansas. She graduated with a degree in education and taught at Lebanon, Mo., after graduation. Walter and Nancy were married and three months later, Walter was sent over seas to fight WWII in Europe. Nancy spent the war years working for Shell Oil and lost her job when the soldiers returned. Walter achieved his master's at University of Arkansas and Ph.D. at Brown University in psychology. He later returned to U of A to teach at the psychology department. Nancy spent many happy years raising her sons and deeply involved with her numerous friends and social networks around the university and community. Walter's untimely death at age 52 shocked the family. Within a couple of years, the sons had graduated and were making their own lives away from home. Nancy rebuilt her life. Her secret — stay active, involved and busy. After her sons where grown, she was house mother at a succession of Greek houses on campus. She was truly a "mom" to the members. She began at Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity for several years, and followed with Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, Delta Delta Delta and Pi Beta Phi sororities. She substituted as house mother at her own Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and remained active in alum activities. Nancy was a pioneer, tireless worker and volunteer in many areas. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church, where she was a member of United Methodist Women and Asbury Sunday school class and was a volunteer for Community Meals, serving homeless and needy members of the Fayetteville community. She was coordinator of the Flower Committee at the church for several years, delivering flowers to shut-ins and hospitalized church members weekly. She was a 73-year member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. A member of PEO Chapter "S," University Women's Club, University Women's Bridge Group and University Women's Book Group. She was honored for being the first and longest (15 years) volunteer for the Walton Arts Center, where she reluctantly had to give up because she could no longer drive. She was also a volunteer for the Washington County Historical Society ice cream social. She is survived by her son, James L. Richards, and daughter-in-law, Martha Richards, both of Fayetteville, Tenn.; a niece, Nancy Jo Kirkland of Colorado; a nephew, John Derringer of Colorado; a cousin, Nina Schmiel of Fayetteville, Ark.; and a nephew, Steve Wilsey of Oklahoma City. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 12, 2012, at Central United Methodist Church, with burial to follow at the Fayetteville National Cemetery under the direction of Moore's Chapel. Memorials may be made to: Walter J. Richards Memorial Award Fund, University of Arkansas, University House, Fayetteville, AR 72701, alternatively, to a charity of your choice. To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.