Ava Richard

HOLTS SUMMIT — Ava Beatrice “Bea” Carter Richard, of Holts Summit, Missouri, passed away Friday, May 29, 2009, in Holts Summit.  She was born June 17, 1916 in Forest City, Missouri. The 11th child of John Henry and Ida Mae Sipes Carter.  She married August “Gus” Charles Richard on May 26, 1936, in Holy Trinity Church in St. Louis, Missouri.  He preceded her in death.

She is survived by one daughter: Mary Elaine Richard Burcham, one son-in-law: Franklin Joseph Burcham, 2 grand children: Michele Denise Burcham Fedorchalk and Shawn Joseph Burcham of Holts Summit.  A grand son-in-law: Larry Gene Fedorchalk, Jr. and a grand daughter-in-law: Julie Ann Moser Burcham of Holts Summit.  Five great grand children:  Elizabeth Rischele Fedorchalk, Samuel Joseph Fedorchalk, Claudia Ann Burcham, Payton Mae Burcham and Alison Rose Burcham of Holts Summit, Missouri.  One sister-in-law: Wilma Elizabeth Carter of Hiawatha, Kansas and a very special friend of 35 years Dorothy Foster of Fulton, Missouri.

Ten brothers and three sisters preceded her in death: Clauskey Avery Carter, Jonah Carter, Rexford Virgil Carter, Cecil Ralph Carter, William Taft Carter, Dolpha David Carter, Leo Paul Carter, John Dale Carter, Montie Gerald Carter, Warren Calvin Carter; Three sisters: Frances Lydia Carter Hendrix, Muriel Hannah Carter Hudson, Mary Margaret Carter Fewin.

Bea’s wedding commitment was much like the words of Ruth to Namoie.  Her life long commitment to Gus was “wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge.  Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.  Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried…”  In the first 5 years of there marriage Gus’s employment with the Corp of Engineers would have them living in almost every Missouri River town from Plattsmouth, Nebraska to St. Louis, often for no more than a week.  A two year job in 1937 and 1938 took them to Los Angeles.

When daughter Mary Elaine started school, Bea, settled in Chamois, Missouri (Gus’s home town).  She would get very involved in the Parochial school, The Altar Society, Ladies Sodality and was a 4-H leader for many years.  During Elaine’s high school years she volunteered to be Home Room Parent each of the 4 years.

In 1959 the family moved to Fulton where she continued to be active in St. Peter’s church functions and was always helping on her neighborhood with meals and flowers when “death” happened.

After Gus’s death in November 1981 Bea moved in 1985 to Farmington, Missouri where her daughter  and son-in-law and grandchildren where.  In 2005 she followed Elaine, son-in-law and grandchildren and great grand children to Holts Summit.

Bea remained active until January 2009, managing her farms and other business interest.  Throughout her life she did many things to add to their family income.  A model of motherly virtue, Bea, loved to cook and baked pies and bread for her grandchildren and great grand children.  For five years Bea baby sit the first great grand child, Elizabeth.

Friends will be received from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2009, at Slater-Millard Family Funeral Chapel in Holts Summit, where a Rosary Service will be held at 8:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2009, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Fulton, Missouri, with Fr. Karl W. Barmann officiating.  Interment will follow in Callaway Memorial Gardens in Fulton.  Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Cancer Society or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  Arrangements are under the direction of Slater-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 540 South Summit Drive; Holts Summit, Missouri 65043.  (573) 896-5959.  www.millardfamilychapels.com