Phyllis Ethel Richards

Phyllis Ethel Slivon Richards of Augusta, Georgia passed away peacefully at the age of ninety-three on August 14, 2025. Phyl was surrounded by her loving husband of seventy-one years, Joseph Robert Richards “Bob” and her three children, Cathy, Bob Jr., and Jeff.

Phyl was born in Gary, Indiana on September 21, 1931 and grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. She attended MacMurray College for Women but transferred after two years to Iowa State University because her father thought they offered the best Home Economics Department in the country. Here, Phyl met her future husband Bob when he spotted her in English class and initiated contact by asking how to pronounce her last name, Slivon. Bob and Phyl married soon after graduation in 1954.

Phyl worked a variety of jobs: she modeled at the elegant department store Carson Pirie Scott in Chicago, sold Easterling silver door to door, and taught junior high science. Her ultimate accomplishment, however, was her devotion to being the most amazing wife and mother. She cooked from scratch every night and prepared exquisite beef stroganoff, cream puffs, and cranberry apple bake. Even more, Phyl was always willing to chauffeur her children to their various sports practices, from football to ballet. She loved the department store Neiman Marcus and after scouting the couture collections, she would come home, lay out fabric and pattern on the dining room table, and sew copies of Givenchy and Anne Klein for herself and daughter, Cathy. Although Phyl was known for her glamorous beauty, hair perfectly coiffed at the salon, bright pink lipstick and nails, she had a grittier side. When the family lived on Skyline Drive in Texas, she broke up a fight with the Stubbs twins, saving Bob Jr. and Jeff from annihilation. When Bob Sr. pursued years of equestrian competitions, she transformed herself into his groom, braiding the horse’s mane, pushing the backend of the horse into the trailer, and clutching the reins of the rambunctious animal while he mounted to take off on the hunt. More recently, Phyl found a special companion in Sophie, the husky-labrador retriever mix she and Bob Sr. adopted. Unable to help herself when dining out, she often ordered double orders of forbidden bacon and sausage to bring home and sneak to Sophie.

Above all, Phyl was a rock of quiet strength and a champion of her family. She always found the good in everyone. Phyl accepted her family’s faults without judgement, and when they failed, she lifted them up.

Phyl is survived by three children, Catherine Richards Williams (Artie) of New York City, Robert Paul Richards (Terri) and Jeffery Fred Richards (Joye) of Augusta, Georgia, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

In her final years, Phyl was supported by incredibly kind and devoted caregivers Donna Anderson, Alice Germany, and Ethel Bennett.

On Saturday, August 16, the immediate family held a private graveside service at Westover Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 3185 Wheeler Road, Augusta, Georgia 30909 or the Salvation Army Kroc Center Augusta, 1833 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia, 30904.