Inell Marie Armstrong Rich

Inell Marie Armstrong Rich was bornin on June 26, 1936 in Dallas, Texas. Inell passed away Saturday afternoon on January 31, 2026, at the age of 89, shortly after a visit with her daughter Beverly, Beverly’s husband, Bob, and her granddaughter Natacha. She died peacefully in her sleep. Inell grew up a Baptist. When she met her future husband, she became a member of the Church of Christ. She loved to sing. She was in chorus in school and went on to sing in many civic and orchestra choruses. She was in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Chorus when they performed at the Thanksgiving games of the Dallas Cowboys over the years. She also was involved in many theatrical performances. She played in shows such as “The Sound of Music,” “Oklahoma!,” “The Boyfriend,” “Guys and Dolls,” and more. Her kids grew up on the stage. Inell was born in Dallas and grew up in Dallas. She was a city girl where she rode the cable car and saw 10 cent movies. But she fell in love with a country boy. The first date with Charles, her future husband, was horseback riding. The saddle fell off but she held on. She wasn’t scared and didn’t cry at all. That is when Charles said that he knew she was ‘the one.’ After they were married, Inell loved her new initials: I M Rich. She climbed Pikes Peak but wasn’t able to summit because of the altitude sickness. Even throwing up, she kept going until well above the tree line before she finally had to give it up. She worked at the Christian College of the Southwest, which was at what is now Dallas Chirstian Campus. She was the executive secretary of the Dean. She was the best cook…. Ever! She took the time to make her own pie crust, which resulted in her much-loved chocolate pies which were her son, Ronald’s, favorite. She was a stickler for manners. Etiquette, and grammar. No one could have elbows on the table or use improper grammar. She was constantly correcting others, and no one was immune. She was a reader and writer. Her vocabulary was extensive and just part of her speaking. She was a published writer for newspapers and magazines, including the ‘Reader’s Digest”. She loved to learn! She was always taking college courses. One of her favorite subjects was geology. All her life she would be on a road trip and suddenly must stop on the side of the road to hunt for arrowheads. She loved to travel. She had been almost to every state in the Union and many countries. Inell loved Autumn (fall), especially in New England. She and Charles made several fall foliage trips to New England as the trees changed colors. Inell loved going to the lake, camping, swimming and hiking and fishing. She was also a history buff. She loved all historical sites, even sites that were not as well-known such as Indian sites like the “Indian Mounds” in Ohio. Although, she did not love the grey skies in Ohio. Inell also studied archeology in her senior age and had an insatiable appetite for knowledge. When she and Charles were young parents of three young children, they became youth group leaders. They always ended their fellowship with the song “Bless the Tie that Binds” which had a tremendous impact on so many. Inell was also a piano player. She loved playing while singing with Charles at family gatherings, retirements, and nursing homes. Even when they were by themselves. Later in life when her memory was starting to slow, she would sit down at the piano with a piece of music in front of her and just play, play, play. And not easy music. Music that would be hard for most people. And her ear was spot on. She was just one of those gifted people who could recognize a note that was slightly out of tune. Everyone spoke about her beautiful voice. Even as she aged, her voice stayed true. Inell always made her grandmother proud, and her grandmother was the one who taught Inell music, piano, singing, and most importantly, God and about Jesus and the Bible. Inell’s grandmother also made sure she passed that down to her own sons, daughter and grandchildren. Inell was a great and forgiving daughter and mother. She was loved by her husband until he died. He said several times she was the “love of my life!” We love you, Mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great, great grandmother. Your impact will last on for generations! She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Armstrong; her mother, Nan Byrum Armstrong Alexander; her son, Ronald Ray Rich; her grandson, Alex Rich; and her husband of 67 years, Charles Ray Rich. Inell is survived by her son, Charles Edward Rich and wife, Teresa; her daughter, Beverly Renee Rich Meeks and husband, Bob; her daughter-in-law, Lisa Rich; her grandchildren, Tirzah Rich Wise, Natacha Meeks, Nick Rich, Christopher Meeks and wife Autumn, Elizabeth Meeks Wimberly and husband Shane, Andrew Rich, Darby Rich Bensley and husband Marco, Ryanne Rich Hawkins and husband Donovan; 13 great grandchildren, Chloe, Kobe, Trevor, Hannah, Jolene, Mallory, Liam, Elisheva, Richie Ray, Gabriel, Harry, Ezekiel, Scotty; and one great-great-grandson, Wrenn Atticus Kemp. A celebration of Inell’s life will be at graveside on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 9:00am in Edgewood Cemetery in Lancaster.

Inell Marie Armstrong Rich

June 26, 1936 - January 31, 2026