In Loving Memory of
Trudie Mae Rich

Husband and Loving Father:

Robert Lee Rich



Father- Luther P. Free
Birth-5-15-1863 Death-12-14-1956

Mother-Francis "Jenny" Snellings
Birth-12- 24- 1871 Death-12-26-1947


Mother was born on June 18, 1919
in Pittsboro, Ms. She was the
daughter of Luther Free and
Francis Snellings.
She married Robert Lee Rich on
October 24, 1936. They were
married fifty years before
Daddy's death on September 6,
1987.
Daddy's death was a shock to our
family. He had cared for Mother
many years after she had a stroke.
I remember at Daddy's funeral we
were standing at the casket and
my Mother spoke one of my most
precious memories. She said "I
loved him so much, He was so good
to me." Daddy had always worried
about what would happen to Mother
at his death. Daddy's sister,
Margaret Busby moved in with
Mother and cared for her more
than eight years. She was an
Angel here on earth.
After several more strokes
Mother was unable to speak or
even to walk. Her Doctor advised
us that Mother needed care that
we could not provide at home.
We made the hard decision to
place Mother in the Nursing
Home. She was there eighteen
months before her death. She
suffered a massive stroke in
August and spent nine days in
the hospital before her death at
the age of seventy seven. My
sister Barbara and I were
standing at her bedside when she
went to be with Daddy.
Mother was loved so much by her
family. She was a loving wife,
mother, grandmother and great-
grandmother. She worked hard to
take care of all of us.
Mother was a quiet person, not
as outgoing as the Rich side
of our family. Mother was a
good cook and always had dinner
ready after church on sunday
for any of us that might stop
by. The whole family agrees
that Mother's biscuits were
the very best.
Mother was preceded in death
by her Brother, Earl Free and
Sister, Kathleen Stewart, a
half Brother, Jack Free, and
a half Sister, Rubye Smiley.
Mother was survived by all four
of her Children, Bobby Rich,
Barbara Gates, Martha Lowe and
Donnie Rich. She also left six
grandchildren Sylvia McBride,
Jeff Rich, Paul and Mark
Henley, Teresa Red and Angie
Woolfolk. She had seven great
grandchildren, Abby and Zach
Red, Nick Woolfolk, Lexie
Henley, Cheyenne and Dakota
Rich and Austin McBride. She
also left her beloved Sister
in Law Margaret Busby who
continued to live in her home
until she was diagnosed with
cancer and died eight months
after Mother. When she died
I felt like I lost my rock.
The one person who was always
there to help anyone who
needed her.

Mother and Daddy were members
of Strayhorn Baptist Church.

I know there will be one big
family reunion when we all go
to God's wonderful Heaven!

Memories by Martha Lowe

***********
A gentle wind blew cross the land,
Reaching out to take a hand.
For on the winds the angels came,
Calling out our loved one's name.

Left behind, the families tears,
Loving memories of the years.
Of joy and love, a life well spent,
And now to God, our loved one went.

On angel's wings, a heavenly flight,
The journey home, towards the light.
To those who weep, a life is gone,
But in God's love, 'tis but the dawn.
***********

Thank you to everyone who leaves flowers for my Mother and Father. I appreciate it so very much.
Martha Lowe