Mary Louise Richardson

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Mary Richardson, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, cousin and friend, who left us peacefully on December 23, 2023, at the age of 87.

Born in Nucla, Colorado on August 21, 1936, to Oliver and Florence Miller, Mary's life was a testament to her unwavering faith and the deep love she held for her family and friends. She was a devout Christian, whose actions and kindness spoke louder than her words, embodying the virtues of compassion, generosity, and grace in every aspect of her life. She was small in stature but big in heart.

Mary grew up in the Southern Colorado area, graduating from Durango high school in 1954, and attending Fort Lewis College and Bob Jones University. Mary met her future husband, Al Richardson, at a friend’s wedding in 1958, and two years later Mary and Al were married on November 11, 1960.

Mary worked as a skilled secretary, working for companies such as Carter Oil, Humble Oil, Continental Oil, City of Farmington, Modesto Title Company and Doctors Medical

Center of Modesto when they lived in California. Both Mary and Al also worked as a team for the Salvation Army at multiple “Silvercrest” locations in the Western US, helping to provide love and care for senior residents. Mary spent the last 17 years of her career as the Office Manager for Bethel Baptist Church in Aztec, NM, providing her many skills to the church that she and Al both loved and attended.

Mary's life was a journey of faith, service, love and perseverance. Her dedication to her family, unwavering faith in God, and personal relationship with Jesus were the cornerstones of her existence. She spent many years teaching Children’s Sunday School and Vacation Bible School Classes always passionately and lovingly wanting to share the love, truth and promises of God’s Word with every child from every walk of life. She led by example as she showed us all the power of love, patience, kindness, grace, humility and the importance of faith, family and community. Her smile, laughter, wisdom, and unconditional love created a welcoming atmosphere filled with the Light of Jesus for all who were fortunate to know her or engage with her during any given day.

Mary will be dearly missed on this earth, but her light and memory will live on in the hearts and lives of all those she encountered. Her loving legacy will continue to inspire us, and serve as a reminder to the talented, graceful and faithful woman we were all blessed to know in our own unique and profound ways. Mary’s greatest passion was that all would come to a saving knowledge and eternal relationship with Jesus. JOHN 3:16 / 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Oliver and Florence, sister Norma, and her husband Al Richardson, with whom she now reunites in eternal peace.

Mary is survived by her two sons and their wives Matt Richardson (Angela), Bryan Richardson (Tara), sister Bonnie Russell and husband George, brother Jim Miller, brother-in-law Steve Richardson and wife Kathy, Grandson Ben Richardson, Granddaughter Brianne Huggins and husband Jonah, and Great Granddaughters Ashlynn Stephens and Ilaina Richardson, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends, whose lives were touched and enriched by her gentle spirit and enduring love.

We will gather to celebrate Mary's life and legacy at 1 pm on January 27, 2024, at Bethel Baptist Church, 201 Heiland Rd. Aztec, NM 87410. In lieu of flowers, a church donation can be made under her name to Bethel Baptist Church P.O. Box 730, Aztec, NM 87410. A private burial will take place soon thereafter at Crestview Memorial Garden in Durango, CO, where Mary will be laid to rest next to her husband and parents.