Traci Leigh (Richard) Yarber

Born on April 23, 1964, in Belleville, Illinois, Traci was the daughter of Frances and Russell Richard. She grew up in Belleville and graduated from Belleville West High School and stayed connected with many of her beloved friends.

Traci had a colorful work history, and pursued many career ambitions, including being a real estate agent, working in advertising at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Teaching, her greatest professional passion. She had just started this year at Belle Valley School, and though her time there was brief, she undoubtedly touched the lives of each of those children and made life-long friends with her co-workers there.

Traci was dedicated to the two main loves of her life - her husband Don, and her son Keaton, who filled her heart with absolute joy. She cherished her long-time friendships and was beloved by all her close friends and family.

Traci lived with an unmatched vibrant spirit and zest for life, and she brightened every room that she entered. She was a force to be reckoned with and had a heart the size of Texas. She was a caregiver through and through, especially for her mother Frances, to the very end. She was the “cool mom” and the “cool aunt”. She had a keen sense of style and a “passion for fashion.” The world was touched in so many ways by her beautiful soul, and it will forever carry the echo of her loss.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at St. Matthew Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, in Belleville.

Family, friends, and acquaintances are invited to the Celebration of Life at Quail Club, in the Main Hall, 8303 Concordia Church Road, Belleville, immediately following the memorial service to reminisce, grieve, dance, and support one another as we celebrate her life together.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent via check made to Belle Valley School-119, 2465 Amann Drive, Belleville, IL 62220 (Please include “In Memory of Traci” on the Memo.