Etta L. Richardson

ROYAL — Etta Lear Richardson, 97, of Royal, went to be with the Lord on May 31, 2017.

She was born May 4, 1920, in Jessieville, to Argust and Victoria (Murders) Ward.

Etta was the last surviving charter member of Cedar Mountain Missionary Baptist Church and was a current member of Social Hill Baptist Church. She retired from The Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center, where she was an occupational therapist. Etta raised a beautiful vegetable garden, was an avid canner and filled her cellar with canned produce each year.

She is predeceased by her parents; loving husband, Joe Richardson; sons, Billy Joe Richardson and Houston Richardson; grandchildren, Kenny Richardson, Berry Brown, Roni Michelle Lackey and Bill Abbott; sisters, Elzie Richardson-Williams and Opal Reagan; brothers, Elbert, Irvin, Carl and Burlin Ward.

Survivors include son, Ronnie Richardson and wife, Judy, of Royal; daughter, Shirley Brown, of Hot Springs; sister, Ester Valencia, of Birch Tree, Mo.; sister, Estelle Lewis, of Hot Springs; grandchildren, Keith, Steve and Kelly Richardson, Rhonda Richardson-Hansen, Melinda Abbott, Crystal Richardson-Bond, Tina Richardson-Towers, Delton and Travis Brown, Vickie Richardson-Ford, Stacy Richardson-Overton, Tracie Richardson-Vaughn and Cassie Richardson-Livingston; numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home. A celebration of Etta’s life will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Brother J.D. Hooper and Brother Scott Culpepper officiating. Burial will follow at New Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Leonard Ray Huff, Danny Ward, Jimmy Ward, Delton L. Brown, Kelly Richardson and Kevin Richardson. Honorary pallbearers are Billy Ray Richardson, Donnie Meeks, Gary Meeks, Steve Richardson, Keith Richardson, Travis Brown, Dennis Ward and Kenny Ward.

The family would like to express a special thank you to CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs, ER, ICU, 4 East, their surgery staff, Dr. Patrick Dolan and Dr. John Webb and their staffs.

Guests may register at http:// www.caruth-hale.com.