Due to Covid-19 an outdoor celebration of life memorial will be held in the spring.
Richina passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was a native of Ouachita Parish and lived in Monroe until she found her forever home in Richland Parish, Rayville, Louisiana in 2003. She finally found the space for her current 11 dogs, 3 cats and 5 parrots. She was excited that now she could get more animals….and she did.
Richina was a graduate of Neville High School in 1976 and Louisiana Tech/Northeast Louisiana University in 1982 receiving her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. She taught in the Ouachita Parish School System at Jack Hayes Jr. High from 1982 to 1985. She was an educator/cheer coach in the Monroe City School System at Lee Jr. High School from 1985 to 1994, teaching alongside her mother. Richina loved and adored all her students and was especially fond of her cheerleaders. Her passion for animals inspired her to open Garden District Pets in Monroe, Louisiana from 1992 to 2002. She proudly placed over 400 shelter dogs in this endeavor. Richina's accomplishments throughout her teaching and business careers were recognized and honored with numerous plaques, trophies, and accolades.
Richina was a lifelong fan and avid collector of Cat Stevens memorabilia and George Rodrigue’s Blue Dog. She was also a huge Saints fan. She enjoyed her camp in Leakesville, Mississippi where she loved to go four wheeling, canoeing, kayaking, trekking on Big Creek with up to 14 dogs, bike riding, swimming, exercising and just being outside surrounded by animals and nature. Richina was also the youngest member of the Silver Bells and loved tap dancing, clogging, and performing. She was funny, witty, clever, smart, and beautiful. Her sense of humor left an impression everywhere she went and was not to be forgotten.
She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Joseph Michael (Mike) Ardoin; her mother, Dr. Faye Davis Tyler Avard; and siblings, Richard Arlen Tyer, Jr., Ashley Tyler Cleveland - sister and best friend (spouse Robert), and Christopher Jason Davis Tyler (spouse Amanda); and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her precious pets, Grizz (her constant companion), Pharoah (sphynx cat), Sadie, George, Sidney, Paco, Acy, Seven and Marti.
She is preceded in death by her father, Richard Arlen Tyler, Sr.; stepmother, Annamarie Brumfield Tyler; sister, Heather Rowland Tyler Storm; grandparents, William Jefferson and Magdalene Davis and Wilburn J and Lessie Idella Tyler; and over 40 beloved dogs, cats, rats, birds, and horses.
Richina request memorials be made to Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter, The Humane Society of Monroe and River City Humane Society for Cats.