Bobbie Louise Richey

Bobbie Louise Taylor Richey, 91, born January 7, 1926, in DeQuincy, LA to Henry Britton and Julia Goss Taylor passed away peacefully on February 24, 2017 at a local care center.

Bobbie grew up in a large family of 12 children in rural areas around DeQuincy where her father was in the logging business. As a teenager, she lived with her aunt, Samantha Hinman, in California. In 1943, she graduated from Huntington Park High School in Los Angeles. From high school, she went to a business school in Pennsylvania and completed a secretarial course.

After completing her business training, she returned to Lake Charles and began working in the office at the Olin Mathieson Alkali Plant. During her time of employment, Bobbie lived with her sister and husband Rosa and Tommy Gleason. She met Tommy’s cousin, James Richey and after a short courtship, James and Bobbie were married on May 5, 1946.

Bobbie and James enjoyed fifty-two years together and reared their five children. Their two sons are James Douglas Richey (Sherry), and Matthew Wallace Richey (Annette). Their three daughters are Anna Verne Kerwin (James), Patricia Lynne Wimberly, and Paula Bea McDonald (Charlie).

After all her children were school age, Bobbie re-entered the work force. She was secretary at LaGrange High School, first in the coaches’ offices, then the counselor’s office, and finally the principal’s office. She retired in 1972 and she and James moved to Many, LA.

Bobbie and James were a great team and loved working on projects together. Bobbie had the vision and James had the craftsman’s skills. They worked together to build their retirement home on Lanan Creek at Toledo Bend Lake near Many. Bobbie spent many happy hours in her boat or on her dock white perch fishing. She taught all of her 12 grandchildren to fish.

After a day on the water, all enjoyed an ice-cold seven-up float. Grandma, being a great cook, would fry fresh-caught white perch for supper. Later, it would be time for a game of dominoes or cards. The grandchildren always wondered how Grandma seemed to win most of the time.

In retirement, Bobbie’s creativity motivated her to take art lessons in oil painting and water colors. She became quite an accomplished artist and won many blue ribbons in art shows. She also taught the grandchildren about painting.

She was a wonderful grandmother. Her grandchildren left to cherish her memory are: Jessica Kerwin Ardoin (Chad), Bobby Kerwin (Amy), Joy Kerwin Hood (Gary), Britt Richey (Yevette), Tracy Wimberly (Skye), Amy Wimberly Touvett (Billy), Steven Wimberly, Jacob Richey (Sheree), Aaron Richey (Holli), Brian McCain (Courtney), Jennifer McCain Swann (Adam), and Sarah McCain Negroni (Louis). Bobbie had 27 great grandchildren.

Bobbie was preceded in death by her husband James Wallace Richey and her parents. She was a lifetime member of University United Methodist Church; while living in Many, LA James and Bobbie attended First United Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 26, 2017, from 4:00PM until 9:00PM at Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Monday, February 27, 2017, from 8:00AM until the time of services. Services will be held at Johnson Funeral Home at 10:00AM with Rev. Katy Simpson officiating. Burial will follow at Crown Point Cemetery.