(From Clark Funeral Home)Lela A. Richardson, retired nurse, died Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Joplin, Missouri. She was 80 years old.
A southern belle at heart, Lela was born in Moorehead, Mississippi to parents, Augusta Love and Harrison Wills. She went to Broad Street High School in Greenwood and at the age of 19, migrated to New York City to attend Hunter College.
It was at a dance hosted by the St. Martin Club in New York that Lela met her husband of 59 years, Rosemond "Al" Richardson. Her two children, Marie Therese and Rosemond, Jr, affectionately known as Butch remember her describing how their meeting was love at second sight: "I was crossing the street on my way to work and here comes this car ready to run the red light. I had to jump out of the way. When I saw who it was, I made him drive me to work! I arrived at work on time and he was late."
While raising her two children in Cambria Heights, Lela was very active in her community as a Girl Scout Juniors, Cadettes and Seniors Troop Leader, eucharistic minister for Sacred Heart Church and school volunteer.
Lela went back to school and graduated from Queensborough Community College where she was awarded the Eberlin-Lenihan Memorial Award for being a student who achieved in the nursing program despite obstacles and earned an Associate Degree. She was on the Dean's list and graduated from St. Joseph's College with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Nursing with a focus on Geriatrics. She was a licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of New York. She had a long career as a nurse, supervisor, staff education coordinator and director of nursing in the healthcare field. In 1988, Lela withdrew from her career in nursing, to be the professional in her home to devote more than 30 years of her life to care for her son, Butch.
Lela loved to travel and if a car could not take her there she was on a jet to France, South Africa, Swaziland, Uruguay, Argentina, and numerous Caribbean islands.
Her warm smile was the magnet that drew people to her and made her the social person that could engage anyone in a conversation. She was a member of the Tree Family and member emeritus of the Carats, Incorporated New York Chapter.
In addition to her two children and husband, Lela is remembered by her grandson, Agis Carty, her sisters, Georgia, Evelyn, Mary Elois, Emma Jean and lifelong friend, Clara.
Lela transitioned to her new life surrounded by her husband, sister Georgia and brother-in-law Keith. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lela's honor to the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Use the following link: https://www.myfarewelling.com/memorial/lela-richardson.
While raising her two children in Cambria Heights, Lela was very active in her community as a Girl Scout Juniors, Cadettes and Seniors Troop Leader, eucharistic minister for Sacred Heart Church and school volunteer.
Lela went back to school and graduated from Queensborough Community College where she was awarded the Eberlin-Lenihan Memorial Award for being a student who achieved in the nursing program despite obstacles and earned an Associate Degree. She was on the Dean's list and graduated from St. Joseph's College with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Nursing with a focus on Geriatrics. She was a licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of New York. She had a long career as a nurse, supervisor, staff education coordinator and director of nursing in the healthcare field. In 1988, Lela withdrew from her career in nursing, to be the professional in her home to devote more than 30 years of her life to care for her son, Butch.
Lela loved to travel and if a car could not take her there she was on a jet to France, South Africa, Swaziland, Uruguay, Argentina, and numerous Caribbean islands.
Her warm smile was the magnet that drew people to her and made her the social person that could engage anyone in a conversation. She was a member of the Tree Family and member emeritus of the Carats, Incorporated New York Chapter.
In addition to her two children and husband, Lela is remembered by her grandson, Agis Carty, her sisters, Georgia, Evelyn, Mary Elois, Emma Jean and lifelong friend, Clara.
Lela transitioned to her new life surrounded by her husband, sister Georgia and brother-in-law Keith. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lela's honor to the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Use the following link: https://www.myfarewelling.com/memorial/lela-richardson.
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