Rilla B. Richards

Rilla Veil Richards, 90, died peacefully, Friday, April 29, 2016 at the Lake Eustis Care Center Nursing Home in Eustis, Florida. She is pre-deceased by her husband Paul A. Richards.

Rilla was born March 6, 1926 in the Willow community of South Carolina and raised in Neeses, SC. She was the daughter of Thomas J. Baltzegar and Myrtle Callahan Baltzegar.

She is survived by two sons, Gary Neidl, (Elaine) Ocoee, FL and Wayne Neidl, Blue Springs, MO; four grandchildren, Tina Bittner (Corey), Umatilla, FL; Cheryl Fields (Matthew), Winter Springs, FL; Kimberly Sims (Sean), Lone Jack, MO and Jimmy Neidl (Mindy), Blue Springs, MO. She had three great grandchildren, Korina Sims, Mallory Sims and Madison Neidl all of Missouri. She also leaves three sisters and several nieces and nephews.

After high school, Rilla moved to Charleston, SC where she met and married her first husband, Dewey Neidl who was serving in the Navy and stationed at Charleston Naval Base. They were married in 1945 and moved to Rome, NY where they raised two sons. Rilla worked as a manager for the Joanly Dress Shop and Flemma's Shoe Store in Rome and worked many years for General Electric in Utica, NY. She met and married her second husband, Paul Richards in 1964. They owned and operated Richards Jewelers in Rome for many years and moved their store to Orangeburg, SC in 1988. After her husband Paul passed away in 2005, she moved to Florida.

Rilla loved to read the Bible and was a member of Orangeburg First Baptist Church before moving to Florida. One of her favorite pastimes was crocheting slippers for family members and friends. She was also fond of baking, especially apple pies. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 6, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. in Orangeburg, SC. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home, Inc., officiated by her nephews, Rev. Thomas Baltzegar and Pastor Kenny Baltzegar. Internment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Gardens in Orangeburg, SC.

The family would like to thank the staff of Lake Eustis Care Center Nursing Home for their dedication and loving care during Rilla's last two years.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church, Orangeburg, SC, 1240 Russell Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115.