Ara Belle Rich

Ara Belle and her three sisters grew up in the small mining town of Boston, AL which is currently known as Brilliant . Ara Belle's childhood home was in the middle of town, situated on the hill behind her mother’s well-loved Ora’s café. In her senior year of high school, Ara Belle's work in the community was recognized when her teachers named her Miss Citizenship of Marion County.

Ara Belle dated E.B. Rich while in high school. After graduation, Ara Belle moved to Birmingham and worked at Loveman's department store . She and E.B. married in 1954 when E.B. returned from his military service. In 1958, she became a stay at home mom when her first of three daughters, Cheryl Bates, was born. Later, her daughters Patti (1963) and Lori (1968) were born. In 1969, they would move to Bush Hills for eight years until they moved onto Miami Dive in Forestdale where they would reside for 41 years. In 2018, she moved into assisted living at Covenant Place in Gardendale with her husband.

As a devout Christian, she attended several Church of Christ congregations throughout her life and most recently was a member of North Gardendale Church of Christ for 20 plus years. Ara Belle attributes their successful marriage, of 66 years, to love and the willingness to give and take. Ara Belle loved to cook and entertain; especially, baking a special carrot cake for her grandsons to give their teachers during the holidays. Influenced by her mother to love God and be honest and helpful, Ara Belle hopes to be remembered for generosity and love for her family.

Ara Belle was preceded by her parents, two sisters (Nell Holcomb and Doris Smith), and son-in-law (Ralph Bates). She is survived by her loving husband, E.B. Rich; Sister: Danylu Burnett; Daughters: Cheryl Bates, Patti (David) Johnson, and Lori (Todd) Parsons; Grandchildren: Jojo (Kimberly) Bates, Britney Bates, Michael (Misty) Johnson, Malia (Steven) Mitchell, Meredith Johnson Smith, Andrew (Victoria) Johnson, Triston Parsons, Bailey Parsons; and eight Great-Grandchildren; and a host of numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Celebration of Life Services for Ara Belle will be held Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Ridout's Gardendale Chapel, with a time of visitation to begin at 10:00 AM and a memorial service at 12:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsgardendalechapel.com for the RICH family.