Lela Richey

Lela Richey, age 92 of La Grande, died Friday, December 30, 2005 in Vancouver, Washington. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Interment will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hillcrest Cemetery with a memorial service to follow at the Church of the Nazarene in La Grande at 1:00 p.m. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Lela Richey was born on March 12, 1913 the daughter of Horace and Minnie (Johnson) Hamilton in Webb City, Missouri. She married Forrest Richey in 1934 in Springfield, Missouri. The couple lived in Springfield, Missouri, Colorado, and Huntington, Oregon before moving to La Grande. Lela was a talented seamstress, and worked for years with Anne Johnson's clothing where she specialized in alterations. She would later become co-owner of the Top Shop and enjoyed operating it for many years. Lela was an active member of the Hendrix Methodist Church where she served on the church board, taught Sunday school classes and was a member of the church choir. She would later attend the Church of the Nazarene in La Grande where she continued to serve in the church. Lela was an avid gardener, loved to golf, was a wonderful cook, won numerous ribbons for her flowers and quilt making and will always be remembered as someone who would open her home to anyone in need.


Survivors include her daughter and spouse; Patsy and Duane Hamlin of Vancouver, Washington; foster daughter, Jo Ann Adkins of Williamsburg, Virginia; five grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren; sister, Oleta Barton of Sacramento, California and other relatives and friends. Her parents; husband, Forrest Richey; daughter, Betty Calkins and three siblings all preceded her in death.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Lela Richey to the charity of choice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502, 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.