Funeral services for Nita Richards are scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Craddock Memorial Chapel with Dr. Alton Fannin officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be Monday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Craddock Funeral Home.

Nita Paul Boyd was born on December 5, 1928, to Paul Spurgeon Boyd and Juanita (Baker) Boyd at her maternal grandparents' farm six miles north of Altus, Oklahoma. This very farm had been settled by Brack and Gertie Baker in the late 1800s as pioneer homesteaders. Remarkably, Nita was born in the same room where her mother Juanita was born in 1909.

Nita grew up in Altus, Oklahoma, where she delighted in outdoor adventures like roller skating, riding her tricycle, and later her bicycle. Indoors, she developed a deep love for art, starting at age five with crayons and coloring books. That early passion would grow into a lifelong pursuit, especially in oil painting, which she continued well into adulthood.

A proud graduate of Altus High School, Nita completed her studies in 1946 and so cherished her time there that she faithfully attended her class reunions for 70 consecutive years. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Education degree from Oklahoma A&M in 1950. While attending college, Nita was honored with multiple beauty queen titles: she was selected as the Oklahoma A&M Beauty Queen in both 1949 and 1950, and was also chosen as the Varsity Beauty Queen her freshman year.

After teaching second grade for a year in Oklahoma City, she returned to Ardmore to spend the summer with her parents. One fateful evening while out driving with two girlfriends, they stopped at a four-way intersection where another car pulled up beside them. Inside was Charley Richards, a college acquaintance. With cars honking behind them, Charley called out, "Meet me at the root beer stand!"—and from that moment on, their 61-year love story began.

Nita and Charley were married on August 17, 1951, while he was stationed in Minnesota during the Korean War. After the war, they made their home in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Together they raised two children: Charles Richards, born November 6, 1954, and Kay Lynn Richards, born August 14, 1956.

The Richards family became devoted members of First Baptist Church in Ardmore, where Nita remained actively involved for decades. She faithfully attended Sunday services and Sunday School, and for the past 14 years, she was a regular part of the Tuesday Morning Bible Study group.

Nita had a "special talent" that never failed to entertain: she loved to cackle like a chicken any time she had an audience. It was loud, unexpected, and admittedly a little annoying— but it always brought laughter and joy to those around her. Family and friends regularly asked her to perform it, and her grandsons especially would be dying with laughter every time she did.

She was a perfect mother who always supported her children with unwavering love and pride. Nita adored her grandsons and rarely missed a single one of their sporting events. She was so proud of them and always carried their photos—ready to show anyone and everyone she met. All the time.

Nita also had a passionate heart for sharing her faith. In her 80s, she could often be seen walking through parking lots, placing handwritten notes about Jesus and the importance of attending church on every car. She loved encouraging others and lived out her faith in everyday moments. She also had a giving spirit. Nita delighted in taking meals and desserts to her friends as they aged and faced health challenges. In her later years, she even kept a collection of funny stories and jokes, always ready to share them with friends and bring laughter to any gathering.

Nita was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charley Richards, in October 2012. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Juanita Boyd, who shared nearly 80 years of marriage and passed away at the ages of 99 and 97.

She is survived by her son Charles Richards; daughter Kay Lynn Krotzer and her husband Karl; grandchildren Kyle Krotzer (Kimberleigh), Grant Krotzer (Hayley), and Caden Krotzer; and great grandchildren Harper, Bracken, and Freya.

Kyle Krotzer, Grant Krotzer, Caden Krotzer, Karl Krotzer, Keith Gray, and Gary Burris will serve as pallbearers.

She will be remembered not only for her dedication to faith, family, education, and art—but also for her beauty, humor, generous heart, and joyful spirit. Her chicken cackle, handwritten notes, warm hugs, and endless pride in her children and grandchildren will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.