Bernadette Richards, also known as “Bernie” or “Bunny,” of estate Golden Rock, St. Croix, died on Saturday, April 18. She was 67 years old.
She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Brown; brother, Joseph Andrews Jr.; nephews: Jonah and Jonas Andrews, and Coy Weekes; sister-in-law, Jane Ann Anthony; and brother-in-law, Nathaniel Anthony.
She is survived by her mother, Sheila Mae Andrews; husband, Patrick Richards Sr.; children: Reanne Richards, Patrick Richards Jr., Leonardo Richards and Ruthlyn Wiggins; grandchildren: Areanna Cole, Trevor Mars, Dillan Mars, Brandon Mars, Ryan Richards, Angelie Richards, Gabriele Richards, A’Nai Richards, Tameka and Tishaun Carr; great-grandchildren: Nehemi Mars, Symir Felder and Josiyah Jackson; daughters-in-law: Sita Richards and Astral Battiste; and son-in-law, Fred Wiggins.
She is also survived by sisters: Patricia Collins and Sandra Andrews Buffong; brothers: Alfredo Andrews Sr., Sylvester Andrews and Samuel Andrews; sisters-in-law: Myra (Melda) Richards, Edris Weekes, Ethelyn (Ettie) Haggerty-Horseford, Nolarine (Nola) Joseph, Hyacinth (Cynthie) Richards, and Antoinette Richards; brothers-in-law: Elderfield Richards, Rolston (Kenmore) Richards and Elrose (Mickey) Richards.
She is survived by nieces: Aaliyah Francis, Anisha Collins, Tekeisha Humphreys, Kimya, Brianna, Kyra, Alicia and Christina Andrews, Sayeeda, Shenequa, Shamalia and Shanifa Buffong, Stacy, Blanche, Ethlyn, Tyre, Timona and Inez Richards, Claudette Hill, Rebecca Milligan, Debbie Henry, Kitichia Weekes, Jamelah Morton, Lovine Johnson, Desiree Green, Sontosha, Iyana, and Pepie Joseph and Denise Moore; nephews: Mallacoy, Darnell, D’Andre, Elseworth and Itieba Francis, Jenner Weste Jr., Alfredo Jr., Joseph III, Joseph IV, Jelani and Jamari Andrews, Mickey Brandy, Rasheen Knight, Steadgord Jr., Shamoi and S’Quan Buffong, Justin Anson, Rolston Jr., Johntue and Tony Richards, Jahbei Hamilton, Romeo, Miles and Nick (Kano) Henry, Anthony Weekes, Austin Haggerty, Robert Jr. and Richard Horseford, Tony and Junior Anthony and Pernell Green; and great nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.
She is also survived by her aunt, Dorothy Nedwell; special cousin, Carol Merchant; cousins: Onesimus and Charlene Daniel, Tamika Gerard and Kaleisha Blount.
Other survivors include special friends: Janette Mingo, Denise Vanterpool, Michelle Morris, Edeen Headley, Susan Torres, Pamela Merchant, Veronica Codrington, Althea Bridgewater, Agatha “Pepper” Phillips and Catherine Dye; godchildren: Keiva Andrews, Kimerlyn Gibson, Sade Southwell, Shaunte Dennis, and Glenmore Martin Jr.; and special community neighbors: Elba Deleon and family, Kemba and Bromley Martin and family, Natalie Lewis and family, Nichole Hinds and family, Chapman family, Diane Tutein and family, Debbie and Laurel Lawrence and family, Turnbull family, King family, and Tero Francis and family.
Loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Bernadette will be remembered by all who knew her as a woman of integrity, kindness and compassion. Bernadette was a graduate of the University of the Virgin Islands and worked for many years as a librarian at the Florence A. Williams Public Library and later retired as a school librarian with the Department of Education. She enjoyed sharing her love of books and reading with children, as well as travelling and spending time with family and friends.
Her spirit will live on in the hearts of those who love her, and she will be missed forever.
Due to present conditions and restrictions on social distancing, a private burial service will be held only with immediate family. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date where her beloved extended family and friends can gather to remember and celebrate her life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Florence A. Williams Public Library, c/o Office Manager Lisa Lubrin, 112 King Street, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820. Checks can be made payable to the Department of Natural Resources with a note in the memo section “Bernadette Richards — Williams Library.”
