Elmo Wyatt Rich

Mr. Elmo Wyatt Rich, 92, of Moultrie passed away on Sunday, February 5, 2023, at Magnolia Manor.  He was a lifetime resident of Swainsboro until March of 2022.  A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Swainsboro at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 12, 2023, with Rev. Casey Shaw officiating.  The visitation will be from 2:00 pm until time of service.  Committal service will follow at Swainsboro City Cemetery.

Mr. Rich was born June 11, 1930, in Swainsboro to the late Elmo Dennis Rich and Lena Mae Black Rich.  He was a forester with Southland Timber Company and Union Camp. He retired in 1992.  He was a faithful follower of Christ, and this is what he most wants to be remembered as.  Mr. Rich belonged to the First Baptist Church of Swainsboro.  He belonged to and worked closely with the Gideons.  He was a coach and a manager for 40+ years for the Dixie Youth.  Mr. Rich also coached beside his daughter, Kathy, for his granddaughter Kelley Smith-Patch Recreational Fast-pitch Softball team.  The Dixie Youth Baseball in Swainsboro named a complex in his honor, “Wyatt Rich Complex”.  Mr. Rich loved his “boys” and “girls” with all his heart.  He not only guided them in the game, but in their lives.  This is what brought him much joy.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Neele Oliver Rich; son, David Rich; brothers, Bobby Rich, Dennis Rich; sisters, Edith Rich Lyons, Patsy Rich Gray; nephews, Shane Rich, Mike Lyons; niece, Cheryl Fields Turner.

Survivors include his daughter, Katherine Rich Fowler and husband Bruce of Moultrie; grandchildren, Kelley Nicole Smith Patch and husband Rion of Athens, Kaitlyn Mari Smith of Savannah; nieces and nephews, Denise Rich, Donald Rich, Sallie Rich Oden, Rudy Gray, Sandie Rich Thompson, Stan Rich, Stacy Rich, Deadre Hadden, Debbie Lyons, Kenneth Fields, Duncan Fields and Geri Fields.

Honorary pallbearers will be anyone associated with Dixie Youth League baseball.

Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Elmo Wyatt Rich, 92, of Moultrie.