Ching Hsieu Rich


Mrs. Ching Hsieu Rich, lovingly known as “Momo,” passed away peacefully on May 2, 2026, at the age of 82, surrounded by her family and in the care of the compassionate medical team at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Ching was born on December 23, 1943, in Taipei, Taiwan, to the late Hong Ji Huang and Mei Yi Huang. One of seven children, she grew up in a large, lively family. Though distance and the complexities of family life sometimes brought disagreements, Ching remained deeply loyal to her family until her final days, always showing them unconditional love, care, and generosity.

In 1968, during a rainstorm in the southern Taiwanese port city of Kaohsiung, fate intervened in a small bookstore. There, Ching met a young American Navy serviceman, Earl Ray Rich of Sparta, Tennessee. Bold and spirited, she struck up a conversation by asking the meaning of an English word she already knew. It was the beginning of a love story that would span continents. The two quickly formed a connection, sharing a first date that took them by water taxi to the movies. Though she left the store without a book that day, she found the partner who would help shape the rest of her life.

The very next day, Earl departed by ship for Rota, Spain. Over the following year, the two exchanged letters across oceans, their bond deepening with each word they penned. In one of those letters, Ching proposed to Earl. He said yes. With courage and conviction, Ching left her home in Taiwan to begin a new life with him.

They were married in Cambridge, England, in 1969, and spent their first year together in Rota, Spain, before settling in Sparta, Tennessee. In 1970, they welcomed their only child, Susie Huang Rich.

In Sparta, Ching was embraced by Earl’s large family, and despite cultural differences, she became an integral part of the community. She worked tirelessly at P.R. Mallory & Co., helping support Earl as he pursued his education and career. She also stood steadfastly beside him throughout his distinguished 40-year service in the U.S. Air National Guard, from which he retired in 2006 as a Chief Master Sergeant.

In 1997, Ching moved to Smyrna, Tennessee, to be closer to her growing family. Her grandson, Alex Robert Chambers, was born in 1994, followed by her granddaughter, Jodi LeAnne Chambers, in 1997.

At the beginning of 2026, Ching moved to Stafford, Virginia, to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Robert Harold Chambers. Together, they purchased their dream home and cherished the time they were able to spend living under one roof. Those final months, filled with closeness and everyday moments together, became a meaningful and lasting gift to the family.

As a mother, Ching loved her daughter in the best way she knew how. While building a life in a new country, she shared the responsibility of raising Susie with her mother-in-law, ensuring that Susie was always surrounded by warmth, care, and a strong sense of family—even in moments when Ching herself could not always be present. In later years, Ching became an unwavering source of support and loyalty to her daughter. The two shared a deep bond, often spending their days thrifting together and finding joy in life’s simple, everyday moments.

As a grandmother, Momo was a constant source of love, strength, and encouragement. She took immense pride in her grandchildren and supported them wholeheartedly as they grew into accomplished adults. Alex developed a deep connection to her heritage, embracing Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese culture as central parts of his own identity, carrying forward her legacy across cultures and continents. Jodi cherished Momo’s honesty, warmth, and ability to truly understand her, always valuing their open and heartfelt conversations.

Ching’s devotion to family knew no bounds. She not only cared for her immediate family in the United States, but also maintained close ties with her siblings and extended family in Taiwan, offering love and support throughout her life. She leaves behind a legacy of strength, sacrifice, and unwavering love that will be felt across generations and across the Pacific.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Earl Ray Rich.

She is survived by her daughter, Susie Huang Chambers, and her husband, Robert Harold Chambers; her grandchildren, Alex Robert Chambers and Jodi LeAnne Chambers; four siblings; as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

In accordance with her wishes, Ching will be cremated and laid to rest alongside her beloved husband, Earl, at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.