Josephine Velma Richardson

Josephine Velma Hill Richardson entered the world on December 16, 1931, during the Great Depression. Born at Fort Leavenworth Hospital to Jessie Mae Harper Hill from McDonough, Georgia, and Joseph Hill, 9th and 10 Cavalry Buffalo Soldier from Hamilton, Georgia.

Josephine attended Gauget School in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Lincoln School in Leavenworth, Kansas, before graduating from Leavenworth High School. Following high school, she pursued her education at the Kansas Vocational School and the University of Kansas School of Nursing, where she earned her Practical Nurse license. She later graduated from Kansas City, Kansas Community College, where she obtained her Registered Nurse degree.

As a child, Josephine attended Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Leavenworth, KS. After her marriage to John Timothy Richardson of Fort Smith, Arkansas, on July 26, 1955, she joined Mason Memorial United Methodist Church, Kansas City, Kansas. She taught Sunday School for 40 years at Mason Memorial. She was also active with the Repass Preparations and the United Methodist Women's Group.

After 40 years of nursing at the University of Kansas Medical Center Surgical Intensive Care Unit and 5 years at Bethany Hospital, Josephine retired in Kansas City, Kansas. Josephine was an excellent seamstress and homemaker. She was an excellent crossword puzzle lover and an avid reader. She especially enjoyed the writings of Pearl S. Buck and listening to classical music.

Josephine was preceded in death by her mother Jessie Mae Harper Hill Larket, her father Joseph Hill, her husband John Timothy Richardson, her twin daughters Charlene Marie and Darlene Ann Richardson, her granddaughters Chantel D. Dean, and Grace Walker.

Josephine leaves behind her children, Duane Hill Richardson (Elwanda), Dauphin Rene Richardson Butler (Frederick), Dawn Louise Richardson, Dionita Ballard Walker (Charles), grandchildren, Brandon Barfield, Davon Hazley Jefferson (Malcom), Jordan Alexander Taylor, Jacqueline Walker (Kelsey), and Charles Walker, Jr., along with six great-grandchildren.

She also leaves her sister, Juanita Hill Brundy, and her children, Pat Brooks, Donald Hatcher (Pat), Joan Coubarous (Lloyd), Rebecca Young, Michael Joseph Brundy (Naora), Joseph Willis Brundy III (Roslyn), and a host of neighbors, friends, and relatives.

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