Patricia A. Richards, 87, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at St. John's Hospital.

She was born on March 16, 1939, in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Virgil L. Harvell, Sr. and Frances R. Conover Harvell.

She is survived by her daughter, Ja'Nice Suggs-Stemmons; step-daughter, Christina "Johnetta" Richards-Ware; granddaughters, Patrice Worthy and Deanna Stemmons; grandson, Franklin "Chris" Stemmons, Jr., all of Springfield; siblings, Janice Whitt and Diane Harvell of Springfield, IL; brother, Dennis Harvell of Las Vegas, NV; and great-granddaughters, Andrea and Khali Lawuary; step-grandchildren, Danielle Anderson, LaDasia Ware and Marque' Ware; one step great-grandson and two step great-granddaughters.

Pat loved watching the afternoon and evening baseball games and all sports on television with her companion, Harry Buckley III and granddog, Pete. She graduated from Feitshans High School in 1957 and went on to work at Illinois Bell, Illinois State Legislature, C.E.T.A. – J.T.P.A. (Sangamon County Community Resources), and Springfield Housing Authority. Pat always enjoyed helping those in need and the homeless. She would appreciate in lieu of flowers and monetary gifts that donations are made to 217 Feeding the Homeless (contact on Facebook - Peter Norell, Group Administrator) and Helping Hand of Springfield (homeless shelter), 2200 Shale St., Springfield, IL. 62703.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Richards; parents; siblings, Virgil "Corky" Harvell, Jr., James "Jimmy" Harvell, Jennifer L. Harvell, and George "Scrappy" Harvell.

Graveside services will take place at Camp Butler National Cemetery on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 11 a.m., with Dr. Terry Whitt Bailey officiating. Following the service, she will be laid to rest with her husband, John, in Section F, Site 176.