Leona Mae Richardson (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Leona Mae Richardson, daughter of John and Elma Garland Welburn, was born June 26, 1922, near Lebanon, Missouri. She departed this life Saturday, April 16, 2011, in Cox Medical Center South, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty-eight years, nine months, and twenty days.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Roger Lehman, and Gilbert Wade; a brother, Ralph Chastain; and a sister, Louise.
Leona is survived by three daughters, Wanda Williams, of Springfield, Missouri, Janice Fulton, and her husband, Larry, of Beebe, Arkansas, and Sheila Griffin, and her husband, Dale, of Anchorage, Alaska; two sons, Wheeler Richardson, and his wife, Linda, of Springfield, Missouri, and Dave Richardson, and his wife, Dana, of Merriam Woods, Missouri; a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two sisters, Gertrude O’Dell, of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Ruth Smith, of Indianapolis, Indiana; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in the Blackfoot community, near Lebanon, and attended Blackfoot School. She lived in the Lebanon area for a number of years before making her home in Springfield, Missouri, for the last forty-five years. In addition to being a devoted homemaker to her family, Leona worked for McBee Binder Company and then for General Electric until her retirement.
Leona had professed her faith in Christ and was a member of Seminole Baptist Temple in Springfield.
She enjoyed caring for her home and liked being outdoors where her favorite activities were gardening, growing flowers and fishing. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.
Leona was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that she will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all of her family and many friends.
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