Tribute to Anita Clay Darnall
Anita Clay Darnall completed her earthly journey on February 28, 2026. Her life's journey began on January 6, 1934, in a two-room farmhouse in central Marshall County, Kentucky, as the first child of Clay and Agnes (Gardner) Darnall. Growing up during the Great Depression, Anita's early years were marked by challenges, but also by deep love, gratitude, and the steady guidance of two devoted parents. In 1937, she welcomed her beloved brother, Lynn Gardner Darnall.
After several moves to Benton and Dawson Springs, Kentucky, the family eventually settled in Hardin, where Clay and Agnes would live for more than fifty years. When Anita arrived in Hardin, the community was still recovering from the Depression and facing the challenges of World War II. In the late 1940s, Clay became the town's Postmaster, and in 1951, Anita proudly graduated from Hardin High School and then soon attended Murray State College.
After beginning at Murray State, Anita married Robert Charles Richard. Together they had two children, Cheryl Kay Richard Schmitt {Sam) and Robert Lynn Richard {Kelli). Robert's service in the U.S. Air Force took the young family to Montgomery, Alabama; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Tampa, Florida over the course of twelve years. A later move back to Hardin for Anita, Cheryl, and Lynn brought new challenges but also many years of profound happiness with Clay, Agnes, and the extended family.
Anita devoted more than 30 years to the healthcare field, working in the office of Dr. Joseph R. Miller and later with the Kentucky Department of Community Health. After retiring-and following the passing of her parents- she moved to the Evansville, Indiana area to be near Cheryl and Sam, their son Clay Schmitt, and Lynn and Kelli. She embraced her new community wholeheartedly, forming cherished friendships through her church and neighborhood.
Anita was a woman of wide-ranging interests and boundless curiosity. Like her father, she loved gardening and delighted in growing anything she could from the soil-vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and trees alike. She was an accomplished seamstress and quilter, creating countless quilts and clothes over more than five decades. A devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan, she treasured the memory of attending a game at Busch Stadium at age 74 and rarely missed a televised broadcast.
Music brought her joy, whether in worship or in concert halls, and she attended more than half a dozen Willie Nelson concerts over a ten-year span. She was also an avid reader, especially of history-American and European alike-and many of her favorite Christmas gifts were books. After retiring, Anita began traveling to the places she had long read about, developing a deep love for exploring the world. Her travels took her to England, France, Scotland, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and many cities across the United States.
Anita balanced a warm public presence with a quick wit and reflective nature. She loved generously, made friends easily, and connected with people of all ages and backgrounds. She was admired for her wit, humor, spunk, and unmistakable class. In her long life, Anita faced many hardships and challenges, but always faced them with courage, poise, optimism and her abiding faith. She was resilient not because resilience came naturally to her but because she relied on her faith.
At her core, Anita was a faithful Christian. She loved God and her neighbor, living out her faith in both thought and action. She cherished her church families at Hardin Church of Christ and Washington Avenue Church of Christ in Evansville.
Above all, Anita's "greatest treasure" was her family. She deeply loved her children, Cheryl and Lynn, their spouses Sam and Kelli, and her grandson, Clay. Her generous light, love, and grace will be held in their hearts forever.
The family of Anita Darnall extends heartfelt gratitude to Heart-to-Heart Hospice Care of Evansville and Solarbron Assisted Living for their compassionate care and friendship.
Visitation in honor of Anita's life will be held at Collier Funeral Home, 211 West 5th Street, Benton, Kentucky, 42025, on Thursday, March 5, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A graveside service will follow on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at Pace Cemetery in Hardin, Kentucky. Friends are warmly welcomed to attend either or both services
