Billye-Jane Caviness-Richards

FLORENCE — Billye Jane Caviness Richards, 79, of Florence died Aug. 22, 2009.

The celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ms. Richards was born July 29, 1930 in Casa Grande and was a daughter of John J. and Ozella Bugg. Her father served as Pinal County highway commissioner and school superintendent. She graduated from Florence Union High School in 1945. She went to college later in life and became a registered nurse in 1975, working at the new Pinal General Hospital from the time it opened until a year before it closed.

She never held a grudge and was very generous. She paid college tuition for three people not related to her. She would give people a place to stay in apartments behind the Bugg home or in a rental if available. She relied on a handshake instead of contracts.

Survivors include three sons, John Caviness of Chandler, Scott Caviness of South Bend, Ind., and Mark Caviness of Phoenix; two daughters, Celeste Stanley of Phoenix and Suzanne Cluff of Florence; a sister, Josephine Trout; 16 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Virginia McClellan, Mary Gibbons and Eva Sue Large.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Coolidge Chapel is in charge of arrangements.