Obituary of Jacqueline Richey Kern

Jacqueline “Jackie” Richey Kern (95) took her final rest the night of Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother and great-grandmother, her love for her family was incomparable and their love and appreciation for her was apparent.

Born in Houston, Texas, on September 28, 1927 to Virginia Henderson and Benjamin A. Richey, Jackie was the oldest of three. 

An alumni of the University of Houston, in Houston, Texas, Jackie received her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. After starting her family, she went back to school to pursue and receive a Master’s of Education from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. 

Jackie married the love of her life, Paul B. Kern, on March 17, 1950, and went on to share the next 37 years happily together. They had two daughters, Marla K. Harper and Patti K. Dreyer, who immediately became everything she’d dreamed of. As a family, they spent the majority of their lives building a life in Baytown, Texas, close to the gulf of Mexico where together they built happy memories to last an eternity.

A proud school educator, Jackie spent her career teaching Physical Education for over twenty years at Lee High School in Baytown while also leading the school’s Drill team for several years. Her husband, Paul, was one of the school’s football coaches, and together, they made their mark on the school’s history. 
After both of her daughters were grown, Jackie and Paul relocated to Calvert, Texas where they jointly operated a furniture store. Together, they spent over ten years making Calvert their new home, whilst welcoming the birth of their first two grandchildren, Justin D. Harper and Chas K. Harper. A few years later would come the birth of her youngest grandchild, Karisa L. Dreyer.

Becoming a ‘Grammy,’ as her grandchildren admiringly called her, was a job catered to her. She showed love and patience while always making it a point to be present at as many holidays and birthdays as she could. 

After retiring in the eighties, Jackie spent the rest of her years traveling back and forth living with or near both of her daughters and their families. Relocating from the mountains of New Mexico to the plains of Wyoming, Jackie never hesitated when it came to being closer to those she so fiercely loved. 

In 2010, Jackie had the honor of becoming a great-grandmother for the first time, or ‘GiGi’ as they would soon call her when her great-grandson Hendrics P. Harper was born. Four years later, her great-granddaughter, Avianna L. Harper made her appearance. 

A devout Christian, Jackie spent her life strengthening and nourishing her relationship with Jesus Christ, and her family finds comfort that she is in God’s hands. 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia Henderson Richey; her father, Ben A. Richey; her husband, Paul B. Kern; and her sister, Sherill Richey Cain. 

Jackie is survived by her daughters, Marla K. (Paul) Harper, and Patti K. (Brent) Dreyer; three grandchildren, Justin D. Harper, Chas K. Harper, and Karisa L. Dreyer; two great-grandchildren, Hendrics P. Harper, and Avianna L. Harper; and her brother, Ben H. (Paula) Richey.

A life filled with wonderful memories and a family that is going to sorely miss her, Jackie left a long-lasting imprint on those she surrounded herself with. 

Graveside Service, 11:00AM, Monday, October 9, 2023, Sunnyside Cemetery, Calvert, Texas 77837.