Carolyn Sears Richey

Carolyn Sears Richey, 68, of Lexington, Kentucky and Ft. Myers Beach, Florida passed away on March 13, 2015 in Ft. Myers, Florida.

Carol was the seventh child of Edward Seldon Sears and Thelma Wright Sears Brown. She spent her early years in rural Pulaski County before moving to Somerset, Kentucky. She graduated from Somerset High School and attended Somerset Community College and the University of Kentucky. She married her childhood sweetheart Jerry Richey and worked for the UK Department of Anatomy while Jerry finished school. They moved to North Carolina where Carol worked for the UNC School of Dentistry. They moved back to Lexington and Carol learned she was expecting twins. Matthew and Melissa were born and the young family moved to Battle Creek, Michigan for a brief time. Once back in Lexington Carol beautifully raised her children and worked for the Veterans Administration Hospital and the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. Brave and ready for change, Carol started a landscaping business, which she owned at the time of her death.

Carol was wholly devoted to her children and was hugely dedicated to her sisters and brothers, extended family and close friends. She was generous, fun, hardworking, a great listener, a great cook and selfless beyond words. She loved the beach, collecting seashells, decorating and planning to decorate, spending time with and doting on her grandson, and caring for her friends and family.

In addition to her parents, Carol is preceded in death by her sister Sue Sears Newkirk and her brother Harold Sears.

She is survived by her partner Bob Stephan, her children Matthew Richey (Susan Tebbs), Melissa Richey (Sebastian White), and grandson Willett Richey. She is also survived by three sisters: Beverly (Clifford) Randall, Marcella (John) Hill, Sherri (Jack) Ritchie; two brothers: Edward (Rebecca) Sears and John (Georgia) Sears; as well as many nieces and nephews and her beloved dachshund Maggie.

Visitation will take place at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 463 East Main Street, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 8. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the ASPCA in Carol’s name.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Visitation will take place at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 463 East Main Street, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 8. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the ASPCA in Carol’s name.