Ned L. Richards

Mr. Ned Leo Richards, Sr., 91, of Lenoir, passed away Thursday, August 2, 2012 at Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care of Lenoir. Mr. Richards was born in Caldwell County on July 20, 1921, the son of Thomas Shuford Richards and Nancy Caroline Clark Richards.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Richards, and three sisters, Jewel Childers, Colene Pilkenton, and Mary Lee.

Survivors include his wife Evelyn Benfield Richards; one son, Ned Leo “Richie” Richards, Jr. and wife Robin of Hickory; three daugthers, Nancy Setzer-Wallace and husband Guy of Lake Norman, Nedrea Richards of Hudson, and Nadine Sherrill and husband Allen of Granite Falls; and five brothers, Fred, Frank, Carl, Bob, and Dan Richards. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Cary Setzer and wife Jamie of Lenoir, Nikki Lutton and husband Matt of Lenoir, Daryn Carter of Lenoir, Chad Whitener, and Joey Whitener of Hickory, Kelli Cummins and husband Jason of Marietta, GA, Brad Sherrill of Hickory, Mollie Merritt and husband James of Conover, and Matthew Richards and wife Rachel of Hickory. Mr. Richards leaves behind eight precious great grandchildren, Luke, Savannah and Brock Setzer, Jayden, Kahne and Kash Cummins, Payce Sherrill, and James Lutton. He is also survived by numerous other relatives and friends.

Mr. Richards was a proud American and served his Country during World War II. He served as a Medic and Ambulance Driver in Germany with the U.S. Army, 99th Infantry Divison, Company ‘C’ – known as the Battle Babies and Checkerboards, 324th Medical Battalion, 395th Regiment, EAME Theater Ribbon, three Bronze Service Stars, American Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal.

Services for Mr. Richards will be held at Pendry’s Funeral Home in Lenoir. The Family will receive friends from 1:30 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 5, 2012. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 P.M. in the Pendry’s Chapel on Sunday, August 5, 2012. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

Serving as pallbearers will be Carroll Setzer Jr., Matthew Richards, Jason Cummins, Daryn Carter, James Merritt, Chad Whitener and Joey Whitener serving as honorary pallbearer.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to the caring staff of the Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care of Lenoir; Dr. Robert Reichling, Dr. Denise Herman, and to Mr. Richards’ grandson, Daryn Carter who took such loving care of our precious father and continues to care for our mother.

Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of Ned Leo Richards Sr.