Beverly B Richards

Beverly B. Richards was born March 12, 1926, in Kalamazoo, MI. The Daughter of Gardner G. Garlick and Beatrice M. (Schau), passed away peacefully at Rose Arbor on February 15, 2022. 

She was a lifelong resident of Portage, attended Portage schools and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School.  She married Monte K. Richards December 8,1972.  Bev worked twenty-three years at Industrial State Bank (Comerica) first, as a Teller then as a Branch Manager.  After retiring the two of them loved spending time with family, especially attending grandchildren’s school activities and sporting events.  Even in her later years she cherished watching school and sporting events for her great grandchildren.  Monte and Bev enjoyed gardening together and traveling with their camper to different states.  

Beverly developed a love for music at home when her family gathered around the piano and sang together, of course always in harmony.  As youngsters she and her sister Marylou took dance lessons together.  Bev played the Violin in the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony.  She was a 30-year member of the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids chapters of Sweet Adelines.  Bev also sang in the choir at Schoolcraft Methodist Church, where they were members.  Sewing was a joy for her as well as knitting, crocheting, and making crafts with her Sister Ruth and daughter Patsy.  She was a gentle, giving lady even into her 90’s she volunteered at Calvary Reformed Church making decorations for Vacation Bible School and assisting in Jody’s Closet.

Beverly is survived by her Children, James Ferguson (Janet), Patsy (Ferguson) Lambert and step-son Terry Richards (Linda), 6 Grandchildren: Corey Ferguson (Jamie), Shawn (Lambert) Marr (Brian), Jeremy Lambert (Wendy), Kim (Richards) Multer (Mark), Lisa (Richards) Degraff (Bert) and Julie (Richards) Scheeler (Tad), 10 Great Grandchildren, and 2 Brothers: Jim Garlick (Shirley) and Gordon Garlick (Sharon), as well as 25 nieces and nephews.   

She was preceded in death by her Husband Monte, Son-in-law John Lambert, her parents Gardner and Bea Garlick, sisters Marylou, Polly and Ruth, brothers Bruce and Alan, niece Lyn (Garlick) Bielanski and nephew Steven Garlick.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sweet Adelines, Centrica (Hospice) and Jody’s Closet at Calvary Reformed Church of Mattawan, MI.  

There will be a graveside service at Portage South Cemetery, 10401 South Westnedge Avenue, Portage, MI 49002 on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. with Pastor Greg Van Heukelom officiating. Following the committal service a gathering will be held at Calvary Reformed Church, 7829 South 5th Street, Mattawan, MI 49071. The family asks that everyone who plans on attending the luncheon wear a mask.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Beverly’s guestbook and/or share a memory with her family.

The Richards’ family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 129 S. Grand Street, Schoolcraft, MI 49087. 269-679-5622