Stormy Richards

Stormy Lee Jenkins-Richards, age 78, born March 7, 1947, in Sweetwater, Texas, passed away from natural causes on Monday, July 28, 2025, in West Des Moines, Iowa.  She left behind a lasting impression that was as complex as it was unforgettable. Known for her tough exterior and no-nonsense demeanor, she was a woman who kept her heart guarded but held deep affection for those closest to her: her daughters, her siblings, her mother, and her grandchildren, even if she struggled to show it in conventional ways.

She had a no-filter sense of humor, often with a quick comeback or a one-liner delivered in her unmistakable country accent. She loved Texas, playing bingo and cards, where she was highly competitive. She had a true soft spot for animals—especially cats, who always seemed to sense the tenderness beneath her tough shell.

Rough around the edges, funny, fiercely independent, and loyal to those she loved, Stormy was one of a kind. 

She is survived by her beloved daughters and their families: Cheryl Atkinson and husband, Matt, & children, Ancel and Quinn, Stacey Karnowski and husband Jeff, & children Kimbree and Anderson.   Her sisters Dorothy Corene "Babe" Franks and June Taylor, former husband Bill Richards along with friends who saw her true heart and loved her all the more for it.  

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kimberly Zan Richards, her mom, Ollie Corene Clayton-Jenkins-Childress, her dad, Robert Jenkins, her brothers, Robert Jr “Bobby” Jenkins, Brocky Jenkins & Rocky Jenkins.

She may have been hard to read at times, but she left no doubt that she was uniquely herself—real, raw, and unforgettable.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to EveryStep Hospice: End of Life Care (everystep.org) or Wesley Life Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels (wesleylife.org) or ARL: Animal Rescue League of Iowa (arl-iowa.org)