Charlotte “Kae” Richey, just shy of her 80th birthday, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. A longtime resident of Port Neches, Texas, Kae lived a life defined by devotion, generosity, deep faith, quick humor, and an extraordinary gift for seeing the very best in everyone she met.
Born and raised in Idabel, Oklahoma, Kae was the cherished daughter of Newman and Ivalene Thompson, to whom she remained devoted throughout their lives. After graduating from high school, she moved to Dallas to work at the Federal Reserve Bank before making her home in Orange, Texas, for 30 years. There she raised her three daughters—Stacy, Melissa, and Regina—and proudly owned and operated Woodco Energy Supply for more than two decades.
For the past 30 years, Kae made Port Neches her home alongside her beloved husband, Aury Gene Richey. Together they owned and ran The Hideout, a cherished childcare center where she was affectionately known as “Ms. Kae.” Hundreds of children passed through her doors over the years, each greeted with her signature warmth, playful humor, and unshakable belief that every child was special. Her gentle influence reached far beyond the classroom and into the hearts of the families she supported day after day.
Kae is survived by her devoted husband, Gene, with whom she shared countless days of laughter and joy at their deer camp and lake house, surrounded by family, friends, and the quiet beauty of the outdoors. She also leaves behind her daughters: Stacy Allison and her husband, Sam, Melissa MacNeil and her husband, Donnie, Regina Tureman and her husband, Shawn, and Haylee Hartje and her husband, Chandon; more than 15 grandchildren; Whitney Sprott, Courtney Pomonis, Michelle Brown, Bobby Allison, Bailey Allison, Taylor Barclay, Justin Barclay, Avery Emery, Madison Lewis, Jack Tureman, Emma Tureman, Trevor Hartje, Alexa Hartje, Alexandria MacNeil, Logan MacNeil, and Cooper MacNeil and 15 great-grandchildren, all of whom adored their “Memo.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, Newman and Ivalene Thompson of Idabel, Oklahoma, and her sister, Norma Jean Arrendale of Cuero, Texas.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Kae’s extraordinary caregivers—Stacy Kurtz, Tina Beaty, Dessie Glaud, and Wanda Thomas and her physician, Dr. Nick Pomonis—whose compassion, patience, and tender care brought comfort and dignity to her final days.
Kae’s legacy is one of kindness, resilience, and an almost magical ability never to speak ill of anyone. She lived with a generous heart, a sharp wit, and a spirit that welcomed everyone.
She will be profoundly missed and forever cherished.