Clara Patty Richards; Local Seamstress

Clara Patty Richards, a seamstress who made drapes and slipcovers for homes throughout Ventura, died Saturday at her home. She was 94.

Richards was born on June 4, 1904, in Perryville, Mo. In 1927, she, her two daughters, parents and siblings were headed from Oregon to San Diego when the three generations stopped off near the Rincon.

Ventura was in the midst of an oil boom, and when Richards’ father and brothers went into a coffee shop, they were immediately offered jobs. Her one-armed father worked as a night watchman for a local driller.

Richards and her family never made it to San Diego. She would live in Ventura for 71 years.

In 1937, Richards married Jack Jenes, owner of Mission Drapery and Furniture in Ventura. When they divorced, Richards began making draperies and slipcovers in her home. She was a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Ventura County.

Richards was the first person in Ventura to make drapes by machine, which she sold to Sears, Montgomery Ward and other local retailers. She made drapes, awnings and slipcovers for local homes.

“She made slipcovers for everybody in town,” daughter Virginia Howell said.

In addition to Howell, who lives in Ventura, Richards is survived by her sister, Hester Day of Ventura; daughter Mildred Jackson of Ventura; grandchildren Ronald Powers of Palm Desert, Terry Powers of Las Vegas, Vicki and Rick Chenoweth of Ventura, George Friedrich of Searcy, Ark., Suzanne Friedrich Singleton of Camarillo and Karen Friedrich Ryan of Huntington, W.Va. She also leaves behind 13 great-grandchildren. Richards’ third husband, Sgt. Harvey J. Richards, died in 1984.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Richards’ life at 2 p.m. May 2 at the Pierpont Inn. Those who would like to attend should call Howell at 644-3844.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Assn., 1996 Eastman Ave. No. 101, Ventura, 93003.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.