Richardson, Verna Marie

Verna Marie GrahamRichardson, 87, of Stanton, Ky. and formerly of Shawsville, Va., passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2008. She was born April 5, 1920, in the Dark Run section of Montgomery County near Shawsville, Va., a daughter of the late Ballard Lavelle Graham and Louisa Ardella Stewart-Graham.

She was one of the world’s truly wonderful women, a devoted and loving wife, and as great a mother and MawMaw as any child could ever hope to have. She was greatly loved and respected by all who knew her.

A graduate of Shawsville High School, Class of 1937, she worked at Blue Ridge Overall Factory and Harmon Fur Farms and was married in 1943 to the late Edward Junior Richardson.

She waited patiently while her husband served during World War 11 in the South Pacific. Following the war, she left the workplace and became a full time housewife and mother to their only child, Donnie. The family lived for a short time in Huntington, W.Va., before returning to Shawsville in 1951 where she remained until 2004. During this time, Marie devoted much time in her service to God, serving as both the pianist and secretary of the Shawsville First Church of God and later, following a move of the congregation to Christiansburg, as pianist and secretary for many years at the Christiansburg First Church of God.

She lost her faithful companion of 57 years in 2000, and in 2004 moved to Stanton, Ky. to live with her son and family there. Following this move to Stanton, she was faithful in attendance at the Stanton First Church of God until her health no longer permitted. Her faithfulness in living a Godly example, her faithfulness in prayer and reading God’s word will always be remembered by her family, friends and neighbors.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Marvin, Roy and Maurice Graham; and four sisters, Ethel G. Deck, Nell G. Cheatwood, Elva G. Thomas and Ruby G. Stewart. She is survived by one son, Donnie M. (Darlene) Richardson, Stanton, Ky.; and was a one of a kind “MawMaw” to four grandchildren, Jennifer Michelle (Wilson) Francis, of Campton, Ky., Cathryn Joy (John) Rehmeyer, of Pikeville, Ky., Mary Beth (Steven) Kochie, of Shawsville, Va., and Brian Edward Richardson, of Lexington, Ky.; and one great-granddaughter, Shaylee Nicole Kochie, of Shawsville, Va. She had numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, and church family in both Virginia and Kentucky.

Her family wishes to express their great appreciation to the Wolfe County Health Care Center, Stanton Nursing Center and Hospice East.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice East, 106 West College Avenue, Stanton, Ky. 40380, Stanton First Church of God, P.O. Box 325, Stanton, Ky. 40380 or Christiansburg First Church of God, 650 Canaan Road S.E., Christiansburg, Va. 24073.

Visitation will be held at Wells Funeral Home in Stanton, Ky., on Sunday evening, January 13, 2008, from 6 to 7 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 7 p.m. with Pastor Anthony Molihan officiating.

Visitation will be held at the Christiansburg First Church of God on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, from 1 to 2 p.m. followed by a service at 2 p.m. with Pastor Max Nichols of the Christiansburg First Church of God officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg, Va. Arrangements by Wells Funeral Home of Stanton, Ky., 606-663-2203.