Midge Vera Dean Richards

Maud resident, Vera Dean “Midge” Richards, 85, passed away Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Oklahoma City.

Midge, the daughter of Loy and Veral (Raper) Acree, was born November 4, 1939, in Maud. She graduated from Maud High School with the class of 1958. On January 27, 1958, she married Noel Lee Richards, in Chandler. Midge and Lee enjoyed fifty-seven years of marriage, prior to his passing on June 17, 2015. She worked for over 20 years at Tinker Air Force Base as a jet engine mechanic, the first lady at Tinker to be certified to work on the TF33. She enjoyed sports, particularly basketball. Well into her adult life, Midge played in independent basketball leagues in Oklahoma City and around the state. She loved being outside, whether she was working the land on their farm, leisurely enjoying their place at Lake Eufaula, or watching The Great Passion Play, which she did many times. She was active on the Maud High School Alumni Association. Midge frequently went to Konawa, sitting in the park for the annual Oklahoma All-Night Singing, The Cathedral Quartet was one of her favorite groups to listen to sing. When her health began to affect her ability to go out, she could often be found at home, reading her Bible or watching The Shepherd’s Chapel, on tv.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lee; and siblings, Janette Johnson, Ima Jean “Babe” Mask and her husband Jerry Mask, and Jim Acree and his wife Rosemary Acree.

Midge is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, David and Vickie Richards, and Robert Wade Richards; grandchildren, Dana Tafoya and her husband, Dugan Tafoya, Chad Richards and his wife, Jessica Richards, and Craig Richards; great grandchildren, Britton, Austyn, Ashlyn, Peighton, Madison, David, Mya, and Gentry; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dr. Stan Acree and his wife, Karol Acree, Danny Acree, and his wife, Debbie, and Sammy Acree and his wife, Jackie Acree; along with several other family members and friends.

Services will be Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. at Trinity Baptist Church in Maud, with Brother Butch Bradley officiating. Interment will follow at Cummings Cemetery in Maud. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.