Mrs. Barbara Dalton Richey

Barbara Bayne Dalton Richey, 82, of Columbia, passed away on August 6, 2025, with her family and devoted caregiver by her side. Barbara was born at her Granny and Grandpa Dalton’s house in Belton, South Carolina on September 15, 1942. She was the daughter of Grady Lee and Etta Corine Phillips Dalton. Barbara was a proud 1960 graduate of Greenwood High School in Greenwood, South Carolina. After college she completed an associate’s program at Columbia Commercial College. Barbara married Kenneth Lee Richey on August 18, 1962. From the earliest moments they could recall, Barbara and Kenneth had always known one another. Their earliest memories are of being in the same Sunday School class at Callie Self Memorial Baptist Church in Greenwood, South Carolina when they were three years old. In seventh grade Kenneth would write Barbara love letters and sneak up on her porch to leave them in her mailbox. During high school, Kenneth would go to her house for “help” with Algebra (even though he was a straight A math student). When Kenneth left for Furman University she would visit for football games to watch him play, and their love for each other was obvious to everyone. Barbara had a passion for gardening, cooking, and learning. She was often making her homemade yeast rolls and cinnamon bread to share with friends. She found great joy in cultivating three beautiful yards that she created with her husband in their three homes. She was known to visit the banks of the Saluda River to dig up wild ferns which she would transplant to her yard or share with friends. Her favorite flower and obsession were hydrangeas. All colors and types were present in all her gardens. She passed that love on to her daughter. Barbara loved to travel with her constant companion, Kenneth, always by her side. She loved exploring the Western United States and Europe, especially France. Barbara was a faithful servant of her Lord and Savior. She was active in church ministries throughout her life. One of the highlights for her was teaching two and three year olds in Sunday School at Northside Baptist church for 25 years. Barbara loved working with children and training adults how to teach preschool children. She spent many summers on staff at Ridgecrest Baptist Conference Center training teachers and working with children. Barbara was a part of the South Carolina Baptist Convention Certified Preschool Instructors. In fact she taught Kenneth and he joined her in teaching Preschool Sunday School for twenty years. Her knowledge and experience were sought after, and she traveled the state working with churches and providing instruction. Barbara was known for her warm personality, her caring heart, and infectious laugh. She was a people person and never met a stranger. She was a caring, generous, enthusiastic, and faithful friend who was always true to her convictions. Though Barbara will be deeply missed, the love, laughter, and joy she shared will continue to bloom in the lives of all who knew and loved her. Barbara is survived by her husband, Kenneth Richey; daughter, Jennifer Richey Duell (Byron), grandson, Alexander Duell, and sister, Joan Higginbotham. The family wishes to thank Carmen Novitsky for going above and beyond in caring for Barbara and enhancing the quality of her life and Kenneth’s as well. A gathering of friends and family will be on Wednesday, August 13 from 4:00-8 pm at the home of Jennifer and Byron Duell. Golf cart shuttles will be available as needed. A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 12:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church,1324 Marion Street, Columbia, South Carolina with a graveside burial to follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to First Presbyterian Church (1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201), the YMCA of Columbia (1447 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201) and NPR—National Public Radio (P.O. Box 791490, Baltimore, MD 21279-1490).

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Mrs. Barbara Dalton Richey

September 15, 1942 - August 6, 2025