Estella Mae Richardson

Estella Mae Richardson was born December 5, 1908, in Pomona, Kansas. She was the daughter of Joseph Thomas and Verna Jane (Riffle) Lawson. Estella grew up and lived in Pomona, Kansas, moving to Downey, California, in 1938, returning to Pomona in June of 1995. She moved to La Palma, California, in December of 2000, where she made her home until her death Friday, September 13, 2002, at the age of ninety-three years. She attended Pomona schools. She was a lifelong homemaker and member of Pomona United Methodist Church. She was the daughter of a fur trader. She and her sister were icknamed 'Skunk' and 'Possum' by the kids at school. She was the boy in the family, helping her Dad skin and tan the hides, which he sold to provide for the family. Estella was married five times; but, the most enduring marriage was to that of her husband, Gilbert Richardson, on June 30, 1944, at Los Angeles, California. They celebrated fifty-one years together, until his death on January 21, 1996. She is also preceded in death by her parents; brother, Valentine Lawson; and, two sisters, Esther Watts and Mary Lawson. She is survived by her three children, Susie, Steve, Howard; seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; brother, Tommy Lawson; and, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and Beanie Babies. Estella was fun to be with. She was a strong woman, loving and kind, who expected a lot from her kids and got it. But, there was something else about her. . . As she grew older, she began to understand that you CAN'T be perfect. . . But, you CAN be forgiven for all the times you messed up. After her husband died, she accepted God's forgiveness through His Son Jesus and went on loving her children and trying to do what God wanted her to. Did she mess up again? Yes, but she asked forgiveness and continued on. As the end drew near, she talked a lot about heaven and that soon she would go to be with Jesus. And, that's where she is right now. Not because she was good enough, but because she accepted God's forgiveness through His Son Jesus. If there is anything she would say if she were here today, it would be to encourage all of you to accept God's forgiveness through His Son Jesus. She will always love you, and she wants you to know that God Loves You Too! SERVICES: Graveside services will be held from Woodlawn Cemetery, Pomona Kansas Friday September 20th, 10:00AM. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Rev. Glen Yancy, Pomona United Methodist Church. IN STATE: Mrs. Richardson will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 10:00AM Thursday to the service hour where the family will meet with friends 7-8 Thursday evening. CEMETERY: Woodlawn Cemetery. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Franklin County Cancer Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.