MARY E. RICHARDSON
Mary Elizabeth Richardson passed away on June 26, 2018, at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood with her children at her bedside - as they have been for the past six years, particularly her daughters, Patty, Marti and Darlene.
Mary was born on March 26, 1927, to the late David and Bertha Rogers in Sumter, where she grew up and graduated from Edmunds High School. She moved to Ninety Six when her health failed to be near her children and had been a resident of Saluda Nursing Home for the past four years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George E. "Ned" Richardson.
She is survived by her children, Darlene Ratchford (Mike) of Pensacola, Florida, Marti Richardson, George Richardson (Linda) and Patty Louise Brown (Bobby) of Ninety Six and Pam Cromer (Gerald) of Saluda; her siblings include Everett Rogers (Linda), William Rogers (Billie) and Charles Rogers (Cindy); her grandchildren are Derryl Gable (Candy), Leah Ratchford-Tribble (Brendon), Patty Lindler (Ashley), Carla Joann "CJ" Keeler, Jeremy Cromer and Joey Cromer (Ashlie); and great-grandchildren, Jessie Gable, Sarah Gable, Lexi Tribble, Rhys Tribble and Charlie Reece Cromer.
Our Mom was a very loving and caring mother, who loved and knew God. She trusted him with her life through many hardships, her lifelong chronic illnesses and in her later years in suffering with cardiopulmonary and renal dysfunction. Her days in Sumter began with radio ministry by her nephew, Eddie Richardson, and readings from the Bible. She read Guidepost magazine and kept scriptures at her breakfast table to read for each day of the week. She sang the old hymns often and talked very fondly of memories of walking to First Baptist Church in Sumter, where she was baptized and was very active in Sunday school and choir. Often she would say "be still" or "be quiet and listen" when things bothered her, this was her communication with the Lord. With a soft breeze, she told us that was God blowing his breath on us.
Her family meant more than anything, but she loved everyone she knew as well, no matter what. She loved all creation, especially beautiful flowers, trees blooming, the skies, pets and her beloved Swan Lake Gardens in Sumter, where she enjoyed many picnics. Her favorite hobby was crochet, spending many hours knitting hats and blankets for newborns. If she knew someone expecting, she got busy to have it ready in time for delivery. She also liked to travel locally to just reminisce, and she liked visiting close relatives and friends, especially her neighbors. Often in her young years, she would ride her bicycle to visit with her mother who lived about a mile from her. Her mother and father were central figures in her life, along with her husband, children and sisters who reciprocated their love to her.
She was very talented and instinctive. She read children's stories and nursery rhymes and taught her children to enjoy lifelong learning and to work hard. She was also a wonderfully protective mother to her young children and was quick to help them heal their wounds along the way, even into their adulthood. Always pleasant, a quick smile and beautiful demeanor, we will all miss her warm touch and kisses, constantly telling us she loves us.
She was the oldest of nine siblings and was predeceased by sisters, Sarah Marsh and Dot Barto of Sumter, Esther Tomson of Orangeburg and Barbara Bianco of Nebraska; and also one brother, David Rogers of Orangeburg.
A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Blyth Funeral Home, Greenwood, with graveside services at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Sumter Cemetery in Sunday.
We want to offer a heart-felt thank you to Drs. Allen Turner and Christine Murakami of Lakeland Nephrology for their beautiful bedside manner and the love and medical care they provided to our mom. To the many physicians and the nurses and other staff all over the hospital at Self Memorial who knew mom, a special thank you. We also want to thank Saluda Nursing Home, the doctors, nurses and especially the nursing assistants for their skillful care to our mom in her last days. Love to all from our Mom. - Mary's Children.
The family will be at their respective homes.
The family requests if you would like to make a donation in her honor, please feel free to reach out to Augusta University to support student scholarships in honor of her daughter who is a professor at the college of nursing. Donations can be directed to the "Marion, Cromer, Layman Scholarship" at the following address: Georgia Health Sciences Foundation, 1120 15th St., FI-1000, Augusta, GA 30912 or to Connie Maxwell Children's Home, 810 Maxwell Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
For online condolences, please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting Mrs. Richardson's family.