Waneta "Darlene" Richards

Waneta “Darlene” Richards, 89, of Mooresville, Indiana passed away on March 17, 2018. She was born April 7, 1928 in Crawfordsville, Indiana to Roy Oliver and Sara Jeanette Griffin.

At the young age of 3, Darlene suffered from spinal meningitis leaving her deaf. Though being hearing impaired was a big part of her life, she never let it slow her down, but mostly she never let it define her. She spent her early years at the Indiana School for the Deaf, graduating in 1947. Shortly after, she met a handsome young man through one of her close friends. The two had a “blind date” at a movie theater and the rest is history; she met the love of her life. Darlene married Teddy Richards in 1950 and the two spent their lives completely in love with one another. He called her “Queeny” and she called him “My Big Angel”, they were the epitome of what true love is. He would leave her love notes daily, without fail, on the comic section of the paper, they would even fall asleep holding hands every night. Teddy was such a crucial part of Darlene’s life that family worried for her after he passed away in 2003. Darlene’s fighter spirit arose and she flourished. She learned to live an independent life, she took on tasks she had never been met with before, and she grew into herself. She quickly made friends, in fact, she probably never met a stranger.

Many family members remember her as “Aunt Suzy” the woman who was always smiling and loved by all. She was family oriented and especially adored her grandchildren. She gained the nickname “32 Eyes” as she always knew what was going on and never missed anything, regardless of her disability. Darlene loved to shop, play games, and caring for indoor plants. One thing is for certain, she was a one of a kind woman. Her love and spirit touched the lives of countless people throughout her years here on earth and she left a mark on anyone who was blessed enough to meet her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Teddy H. Richards; sister, Eileen Carver; and brother-in-law, Bill Carver. Surviving to cherish her memory are children, Roy Lee (Marilyn) Richards and Debby Kay (Doug) Merriman; grandchildren, Jamie Kay (Kenny Wade) Davasher, Lisa Marie (Brian) Fisk, Joey Lynn Hopper, and Kelly Dyan (Ryan) Edwards; great-grandchildren, Kassidy Edwards, Griffin Edwards, Ashlee Fisk, Cole Roebken, Delaney Edwards, Evan Fisk, and Wyatt Hopper; as well as a host of extended family members and friends.

Family and friends may visit Wednesday, March 21 from 12-2 PM at Flanner Buchanan – Floral Park, 425 N. Holt Road, Indianapolis. Services will take place at 2 PM. Darlene will be laid to rest at Floral Park cemetery immediately following services.

Contributions may be made in her honor to American Society for Deaf Children, 800 Florida Avenue, NE #2047, Washington, DC 20002-3695.