She was a strong advocate for better housing and other concerns of the residents of the Pughsville Community and formerly served as Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners of the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Her civic, social, and church affiliations include Past President, Pughsville Civic League; member of the Beauty of the World Temple #40 I. B. P. O. E. of W., member, Les Gemmes, Inc., Portsmouth Chapter; member, Suffolk Democratic Party; and active member and Deaconess of New Hope Baptist Church and served on several auxiliaries: Pastor’’s Aid, Floral Ministry, and Missionary Ministry.
Ms. Richardson has been personally honored and received awards from United States Census Worker, Rudy Wood Shrine Club, Pughsville Civic League, Virginia State Association Pgt. Dgt. Elks, New Hope Baptist Church, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Portsmouth Beauty of the World Temple #40, Suffolk Branch of the NAACP, Business Women’s Association, Energizers Unlimited, Inc., Area 2 NAACP, Governor of Virginia Housing, and Norfolk State University.
Ms. Richardson was honored by the Pughsville Civic League for her due diligence and hard work by naming the community park facility in her name. The park is named "The Mark Hill/Mary V. Richardson Community Park."
She leaves to treasure precious memories and a legacy of a life well-lived to her devoted husband of 49 years, Charlie Richardson, Jr.; daughter, Marlene R. Miles (Milton, Jr.) of San Antonio, TX; sons, Antonio L. Richardson (Abigail) of Suffolk and Keath E. Marshall (Carolyn) of San Antonio, TX; three sisters, Louise Whitfield of Suffolk, Jessie M. Walker of Portsmouth, and Martha A. Patrick of Spring Valley, NY; one brother, Herbert Walker of Hampton; ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; devoted nieces, Cindy Davis and Ella Walker; a host of nieces and great nieces, nephews and great nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Thursday, August 7, 2008 at New Hope Baptist Church, 4260 Pughsville Road, and will be officiated by Dr. William E. Russell. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Viewing will be Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church and a Christian Wake Service will be held beginning at 7:00 pm. Crocker Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
