Deborah Richardson

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Deborah Million Newby-Richardson, age 70, Joplin, went home to be with her Lord, and other family members, on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

Deborah was born August 9, 1951 in Coffeyville, Kansas, daughter of the late Rev. Charles F. Million, and Suzanne Million of Belleville, Kansas. She grew up in Kansas, graduating from Phillipsburg, Kansas High School before earning her bachelor’s degree in education from Pittsburg State University. She later earned her master’s degree from Missouri Southern State University, and then her Doctorate from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. 

She was an English professor at Missouri Southern and Messenger College in Joplin, She moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to teach at Bossier Parish Community College. She returned to Joplin and continued teaching at Messenger College and Missouri Southern State University. She later became a professor at Labette Community College. 

She was always very involved with her students, and was loved by them as much as she loved. She developed lifelong relationships with several of her students, and was a lifelong mentor to many. She enjoyed reading, and had a hard time passing by a good book. She loved to travel, and has visited several locations in Europe, Scotland, and Medjugorje, Bosnia. She was also known as an accomplished author. She will be greatly missed by many.

In addition to her father, Deborah was preceded in death by her first husband, The Rev. William R. “Bill” Newby who passed in 2016.

She is survived by the love of her life, husband George Richardson; whom she married December 29, 2018; daughters, April Dickinson and husband Daniel in Omaha, Nebraska, and Amy Wagner and husband Allen all of Belleveue, Nebraska; grandchildren, Caleb Wagner, Noah Dickinson, Samantha Wagner, Isaac Dickinson, and Abigaile Dickinson; sisters, Kathy Miller and husband Blaine, and Eileen Benson both of Belleville, Kansas; and her mother, Suzanne Million of Bellville, Kansas; step-children, Brandon Wade of Pratte, Kansas, Samantha Yates of Anchorage, Alaska, and Roy Baker of
Topeka, Kansas; eight step grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. at Joplin Family Worship Center. The family will receive friends at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary on Monday, April 18, 2022 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, make donations to the Joplin Family Worship Center Memorial Garden.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Joplin Family Worship Center Memorial Garden.