Lena Mae LaVerne (Holmes) Richardson

Her Story

LaVerne Richardson was born Lena May Laverne Holmes on April 10, 1926 in Cleveland, Mississippi to Ruth Lee Taylor and Claiborne Columbus Holmes.

She accepted Christ as a child and was baptized at Pleasant Green Baptist Church where she was a member for over fifty years.

LaVerne attended Sumner High School and was a member of the Sumner Class of “44”.  She was a graduate from the Madam C. J. Walker School of Beauty.

She met and married Paul Richardson and they parented five children, Tim; Paula; Cathy; Ricky; and Mattie.  LaVerne was a homemaker and enjoyed participating in civic activities and those that involved her children.  During her lifetime, she was President of Grant School P.T. A. and taught Church School every Wednesday afternoon during the school year.

Our mother was the epitome of love, truth and righteousness.  Nothing was more important to her than family.  She was quiet and reserved woman constant search of truth and knowledge.  She always said the truth shall set you free.

She loved to read, and we couldn’t help but believe that she knew everything.  Although she imparted her knowledge with us…she never flaunted it.  But if you asked her she would always have an answer and we were in awe of her.

Mama used to say she turned all five of us over to the Lord a long time ago.  It was his mercy and grace that helped her through difficult times. 

Our mother couldn’t stand to see anyone’s civil rights violated.  She would say “I raised my children in face of racism.”  I know what it looks like, I know what it feels likes and I’m going to fight it and she did on so many levels for her children, grandchildren and her community.  There are so many activist stories.

She was the family historian and coordinated our first Tyler-Taylor reunion in Greneda, Mississippi.  She along with her cousin Bernice and so many other precious family members researched our family history and published and cherished booklet dating back to the early 1800’s.

We will miss our mother…Her abiding love, her laughter, and sense of family.  She left her beloved handprint on all of our hearts. 

She leaves her children to cherish her memories, Tim Richardson; Paula Ivy; Cathy Anderson; Paul Richardson, III (Gayle); and Mattie Sherman (Tyrone); ten grandchildren will miss her, David Richardson (Veda); Randy Mitchell (Kim); Demille Richardson; Barton Richardson (Andrea); Calvin Jones, Jr. (Deseree); Lamont Richardson (Tanesha); Demont Jones; Alex Chapman (Rushonda); John Poke (Jennifer); and Amy Richardson; Gigi will be remembered by seventeen great-grandchildren, Adoria Owens (Cedric); David Richardson, Jr.; Layla Richardson; Loren Richardson; Amari Jones; Symphony Jones; Donovan Richardson; Kamea Richardson; Reymon Chapman; Alex Chapman, Jr.; Rashan Matthews; Kai Richardson; Cadence Washington; Amya Washington; Shiloh Jones; Tayana Williams; and Logan Richardson; one great-great grandchild, Cayden Owens; two daughters-in-law, Shirlyn Richardson; and Dr. Linda Diane Cloud-Richardson; many nieces, nephews, friends, and family; Special friends, Frances Nelson; Helen Bey; Harold Grady; Berniece Estell; Katherine Hadley; and Joe and Elaine Chow; her special caregivers, Timothy Heintzelman; Danna Taylor; Lula Yates; and the late Janice Pickett.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lena Mae LaVerne (Holmes) Richardson, please visit our floral store.