The children of Arthelia Christina Richard are sad to announce the passing of their beloved mother. Arthelia received her angel wings on January 11, 2024 at the home of her devoted daughter Pat. Arthelia was the daughter of Okey and Annie Cunningham Shimer.  She was one of nine children.  Arthelia was born in Freed WV in 1920 and grew up in rural West Virginia. As a child they walked miles every Sunday to the Hoy Chapel. After moving from Freed she attended Leatherbark school in Ritchie County. She lived for many adult years in Elizabeth, West Virginia where she remained living on her own until she moved in with her daughter to Albany, Ohio shortly before her 102nd birthday. Arthelia would have been 104 years old in two months. She loved the lord and was ready to go home and that gave her family comfort.
Arthelia leaves behind five daughters, Glenna Ridgeway, Patricia Baker, Sue Cottrell (Jerry), Penny Kerns (Chuck) and Sharee Drennen. She has an estimated 215 descendants.
Besides her parents, her brother, and sisters, she was proceeded in death by her husband Linza Richard, Son Arnold Richard and Daughter Vonda McCray, a Daughter In-law, Five Son's In-law's along with one granddaughter, five grandsons, one great and one great great granddaughter.
Arthelia was an amazing cook, baker and she loved to garden. She loved making candy and her peanut butter fudge recipe has been passed onto many generations. She was a talented painter, seamstress and made beautiful quilts. Arthelia could proudly say her ABC's backwards and was a 1997 Wirt County Southern Bell.
She had two stories published. One in the book, "A Living History of Western West Virginia" and another in "Our Mountain State Heritage". Her greatest accomplishment was her family that she loved with all her heart.
A special Thanks to Jackson Hospice in Ohio and the Williams family for all their love and care.
Visitation will start at Noon with the service at 1pm on January 18, 2024 at the Matheny Whited Funeral Home in Elizabeth.  Burial to follow at Wolverton Cemetery, Munday WV.