Barbara Richter

Barbara Jean (Poe) Richter was born July 17, 1946 in Schlater, Mississippi to Herbert and Pansy Poe. As an infant they re-located to Smithville, Texas due to her father serving in the military. She resided there and attended Smithville High School graduating in 1965. Soon after graduation, she met William (Red) Richter one afternoon at the Praha Picnic where they began their 56 year journey together. They married January 15, 1966 in Flatonia, Texas where she began working at the Freytag pharmacy for the late Marvin and Bernice Freytag and continued her career as a pharmacy tech for David and Lucreta Fike where she later retired in 2010. During this time, they were blessed with a daughter, Mimi and a son, William. Together, Red and Barbara opened up Red’s BBQ in 1982.  They ran this successful family business for four years, until they decided to pursue event catering, called Richter’s Catering.  This business not only kept them busy, but brought along many friends and created a lifelong legacy that Barbara will always be remembered for.

Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother to all of her family.  She could continuously be found in the kitchen cooking, baking, and canning delicious meals and desserts for all to share.  She always welcomed family and friends into her home with open arms and a warm meal.  You could always count on her to have a warm pot of chicken and dumplings ready for you. Both she and Red loved to travel to the Opry and listen to the music by local musicians.   Barbara also enjoyed sewing in her spare time as well as going to local dance halls in her younger years.  Most recently, you could find her and Red watching westerns, the game show network, and they never missed an episode of the “Bold and the Beautiful.”  Barbara was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 where she fought a long hard battle until the end. Her last few days were spent surrounded by family and friends while being cared for by the Care Team Hospice of Gonzales Texas until her passing the morning of January 1st, 2023.

Barbara, known to many as mom or grandma will be remembered for her love, her sweetness, gentleness, her stubbornness and her hard work.  She was a very caring lady, who would help or do anything for her family and friends.

Barbara is survived by her husband, William “Red” Richter, daughter Mimi Richter (Glenn Lahodny), son Will “Punky” Richter (Allison), sister Sharon Ulrich, grandchildren: India Randermann (Daniel), Delta Allen (Taylor), Sloane Richter and Madeline Richter; great-grandchildren: Brooklyn Randermann, Brittyn Randermann, Avery Allen, Kaylee Allen and Macie Allen.  She is preceded in death by her parents.

A visitation for Barbara will be Friday, January 6, 2023 from 5:00-8:00 PM at Smith Funeral Home in Flatonia, TX.  A funeral service will be on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flatonia, TX, officiated by Pastor Herb Beyer and Pastor John Hunsicker.  Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Flatonia, TX.

Words of comfort can be shared with the family at www.smithfuneraltx.com

Smith Funeral Home – 128 East 5th Street. Flatonia, TX 78941                   Phone #361-865-3311