Evelyn Richardson, 90, of Martinstown, Missouri, passed away at the Putnam County Care Center in Unionville, Missouri, on Thursday, July 22, 2021. She had been a resident there for six years.
Evelyn Elizabeth (Bland) Richardson was born on the family farm near Martinstown on November 8, 1930, the daughter of Harley and Sylvia (Billington) Bland who preceded her in death. She attended school in Martinstown through her sophomore year and graduated from Unionville High School in 1948. She attended the Kirksville Normal School, earning a Teaching Certificate. Evelyn then taught at the Ledford School for two years. She married George Richardson in Kirksville, Missouri, on September 2, 1950, who preceded her in death on August 19, 2014. After living and working in Waterloo, Iowa, for a brief period, Evelyn and George returned to the Martinstown area to farm. Upon their return, she devoted herself to being a homemaker and farmer’s wife until her youngest child began kindergarten. She then worked as a para-educator for 27 years at Putnam County R-1 Schools, retiring in 2000. Evelyn and George remained on their farm until 2009 when they moved to Kirksville.
Evelyn was known for her hospitality and kindness. No one stopped by the farm without being invited in for a refreshment or meal. The guest was always in for a treat as she was an excellent cook. When complimented, she would proceed to tell you what she had forgotten to add, or didn’t have on hand, but magically, it was always delicious. Cooking for her large family was a big job, but she put her heart and soul into it and was never happier than when her table was full of family.
Active all her life, Evelyn would often run the three miles to school as a youth and in her later years she liked to walk and was a familiar site walking along the roads around Martinstown. At the age of 72 she walked the 36 miles between Clinton and Sedalia on the Katy Trail in just 2 days.
Evelyn was an avid reader enjoying everything from magazines to mystery and romance novels. She read her Bible daily for years and “Paper Day” was the highlight of her week. She shared her love of reading with her children and grandchildren by reading to them frequently. The Little House books were always a favorite.
Evelyn was active in her community serving as a 4-H leader for her children and a PTA volunteer. She was a lifelong member of the Martinstown Church of Christ and considered her sisters and brothers in Christ her second family. She was also a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Survivors include her children: Mike (Wendy) Richardson, Hannibal, Missouri; Pat Richardson, Kirksville, Missouri; John Richardson, Kirksville, Missouri; Janoah Medecce, Unionville, Missouri; Barry (Laura) Richardson, Buckeye, Arizona; Cheryl Bennett, Polo, Missouri; and Beth (Chad) Gatlin, Martinstown, Missouri. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Additionally she is survived by a brother, Bill (Sally) Bland of Sedalia, Missouri, a sister, Marjorie Anderson of Oak Grove, Missouri, and three sisters-in-law: Darlene Bland, Doris Bland, and Doris Richardson.
Others who preceded her in death are a son-in-law, Roger Bennett, and three brothers, Carold, Dale, and Dean Bland.
Funeral services for Evelyn Richardson will be at the Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Martinstown Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested, and checks made payable to the Martinstown School Community Building or the Martinstown Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th, Unionville, MO, 63565.