Betty Margaret Richards

In Loving Memory of Betty Margaret Richards

January 26, 1950 – August 20, 2026

Betty Margaret Richards, lovingly known to many as Betty Lou, Betty Market, and Betty Boop, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2026, at the age of 76 in Mesa, Arizona.

Betty was born on January 26, 1950, in Eufaula, Oklahoma, to Bessie and Hearm Strome. When she was just five years old, Betty and her family moved to Arizona, where she would spend the rest of her life. She grew up in Coolidge and later made her home in Mesa.

Betty was the fourth of seven siblings. From the time she was a little girl, she knew the meaning of hard work. She worked alongside her family on the farm, spending long, hardworking days cropping food and picking cotton. She carried that strong work ethic with her throughout her life.

Over the years, Betty worked as a waitress at Bob's Big Boy and on the assembly line at Motorola. She also loved helping her husband, Dale, at Handy Fred's, where the two of them spent time stocking shelves together.

Betty was married to the love of her life, Dale Richards, for 43 years. Together they built a life centered around family, faith, hard work, and love.

Betty's family was her whole world. She is survived by her husband, Dale Richards; her children, Shona and Mike Brinkerhoff and Jessica and Kevin Farrell; her sister, Anna Hughlett; her grandchildren, Jaren, Hayden, Brodee, Emillia, Gunnar, Emma, and Gage; and her five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Howard Strome, Adell Singleton, Albert Strome, Brenda Strome, and Burl Strome.

Betty found joy in the simple things in life. She loved spending time with her friends and family and especially looked forward to the holidays. She loved going garage-selling, collecting things, listening to Elvis, and anything involving Betty Boop. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was famous among her family for the fun words she couldn't quite say like “Qwese a dill a” when she meant quesadilla. With her beautiful Southern accent, it was even more endearing.

Betty had the kind of laugh and smile that people remembered. She loved caring for others and was always willing to help her family. When Sue had her babies, Betty would go help care for her children. The children have fond memories of sitting with Betty and brushing her long, beautiful hair.

Her faith was an important part of who she was. Betty loved going to church, loved God with all her heart, and cherished serving as a Sunday school teacher. She had a genuine love for people and found purpose in giving her time and herself to others.

Betty leaves behind a lifetime of memories, laughter, love, faith, and family. She will be deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved her.

Her family was her whole world, and she was the heart of theirs.

Her memory will live on in the stories we tell, the traditions she loved, the laughter she shared, and in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.