Ruby "Gen" Geneva (Milburn) Richards

Geneva was born on November 28, 1934, to the late Charlie Milburn & Lola ‘Mae’ Putnam Milburn in Lincolnton, NC.

She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. She met and married Ernest Richards, the love of her life on November 23, 1951. They were happily married for 74 years. She had a loving devotion to her husband, family and all her church families and many friends.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her 5 brothers, Leonard, W S ‘Dub’, Billy, Luther, Clyde Milburn and sister Deseree Keener.

Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Pastor Ernest (Ernie) Richards of Vale, children Debra Meacham and husband Paul of Riverview, FL, Barry Richards and wife Pam of Vale, Tonya Hampton and husband Dwayne of Boone & Jeremy Richards and wife Riki of Maiden; grandchildren, Brian (Amy) Hester, Beverly (John) Kingsbury, Daniel (Carrie) Meacham, Kimberly (Justin) Willis, Brandon (Hayley) Richards, Ben (Paige) Richards, Jessica (Scott) Stansberry, Alicia (Dustin) Smith, Amanda (Patrick) Critcher, Brittany (Zack) Jones, Bailey (Jessica) Richards, Kyle Smith; great grandchildren Leah (Brandon) Petersen, Haleigh Meacham, Kyle Polhill, Emilee Kingsbury, Michael Willis, Michelle Willis, Owen Willis, Kayla Ives, Jaeden Ives, Emily Richards, Elayna Richards, Jace Richards, Ian Richards, Triss Richards, Haleigh (Blane) StClair, Ivan Stansberry, Kayla Townsend, Hunter Townsend, Alexa Townsend, Deegan Smith, Isabella Critcher, Olivia Critcher, Blair Critcher, Chloe Critcher, Kinsley Jones, Kailey Jones, Kembry Jones, Easton Richards, Charleigh Richards, Liam Richards, Graysen Collins; great-great grandchildren Avery Petersen, Lily Jackson, Paislee Jackson, Tommie Shafer, RJ Shafer; and sister Ann Carpenter of Crouse along with many nieces and nephews.

She attended Lincoln County schools and later after marriage upon Ernie’s call to the ministry, attended many classes alongside with him when he was studying for the ministry. When Ernie, as she called him, announced his call to Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ on October 6, 1963 at Calvary Baptist Church (their home church), she was standing beside him and she continually stood and supported him all throughout his ministry. She was a behind the scenes person and loved to take on the Fellowship Building Ministry each church had. She was not beyond manual labor cleaning and waxing the Fellowship Building floors. Her family called her the ‘quiet professional’.

Behind every good minister is a loving, supportive wife and mother who loves the Lord. Geneva stood alongside Ernie and supported him every day. She was a Pastor’s wife, something she took very seriously and loved, as she loved God ever since she was a young girl. During Ernie’s ministry, they were led by God to lead many churches:

• Antioch Baptist Church, Lincolnton, November 15, 1964 - September 10, 1967.

• Goodwill Baptist Church, Kernersville, NC, September 11, 1967 – August 6, 1972.

• Enon Baptist Church, Valdese, NC, August 1972 - July 1980.

• Brushy Fork Baptist Church, Vilas, NC from July 1980 - July 1986.

• Providence Baptist Church, Hickory, NC from July 1986 – December 2000.

• Amherst Baptist Church, Morganton, NC 2001- September 2005.

• Catawba Valley Baptist Church, Maiden, NC, October 1, 2005 – 26 May 2013.

• Ernie retired as a full time Pastor in May 2013 but he couldn’t stay retired. God had other plans for him and he was called as an Interim Pastor for numerous churches. Geneva was always by his side taking over all the necessary moves so Ernest could do what God called him to do.

Geneva loved to document her family with a camera. She was a self-taught gifted photographer and her family brags she was a professional. We all have to giggle at her determination and organization she had with her pictures, recordings and record keeping. She was a great organizer and seems her kids as well as her grandkids have continued on with documenting their own families. She seemed to have a camera or recorder in her hand recording all her moments with the family and her church families. To see her without a camera or recorder in her hand, one would think something was wrong. Her children are grateful for documenting their lives with photos and information. When she didn’t have a camera or recorder focused on documenting everything, we would see her smile. She always had the most beautiful smile.

She had some hinderances along the way and lost her eyesight. She was still able to use what little eyesight she had to continue keeping up with as much as possible. She loved going to church and loved being there every time the doors were open. Her hearing started diminishing but she never used her loss of eyesight or hearing as an excuse and somehow managed to keep doing what she loved. She had to give up her photography and depended on her family to continue on with her legacy which we have. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and wanted to get better to travel to see family. When God took her home on March 26, he must have needed her more than we did. While her family is broken hearted with her going home way too soon, we know she is with God and that gives us peace.

The Richards family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the abundance of friends from all the churches where Ernie and Gen had the opportunity to share God’s word and love. You are all like family and have extended your love and support over the years to which we are truly grateful.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. at Wilkies Grove Baptist Church. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Serving as Pallbearers will be her grandchildren and friends of the family.

Memorials may be made to Wilkies Grove Baptist Church, 5780 Wilkies Grove Church Road, Hickory, NC 28602.

The service will be live streamed on the Wilkies Grove Baptist Church Facebook Page.