Flora Marian Richardson's Obituary
On Thursday, October 31, 2019, Flora Marian Martz Richardson, loving wife and mother of three, passed away at age 76. Flo was born in French Camp, California on Christmas Day, December 25, 1942 to Bruce Arthur Martz and Aldean Melton Martz. Her father trained horses and she, with her younger sister Lorette, often rode matched palominos in local parades. In 1954, the family moved to a ranch near West Plains, Missouri and she accepted Jesus as her savior at China Church. She graduated from West Plains High School in 1961. Flo entered Nurses’ training at Springfield Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in August of 1961 and was certified a Registered Nurse in 1964. She received her Commission as a 2nd Lt. in the USAF in 1965 and an honorable discharge as a Captain in 1968.Flo’s entire term in the AF was served at Otis AFB on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. There she met Lt. William (Bill) Frank Richardson and they were married in the base chapel on November 25, 1966. In February 1969 she was given an early discharge from active duty allowing her to join her husband in his post-combat assignment in Bangor, Maine where she took a hospital position but had to leave due to complications with her first pregnancy. That fall, she began classes at the Univ. of Missouri, Columbia and Joy Elizabeth Richardson was born followed 20 months later by Jay Roddan Richardson. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Univ. of Missouri and helped open the new VA hospital there.Satisfied that her formal education was complete, Flo moved with her family to Houston, Texas where Janet Lea Richardson was born. She worked full and part time at the hospital and joined the 1st Baptist Church of Missouri City with her family, becoming active in the women’s group. From Richardson to San Antonio to Little Elm, Texas cities, she taught AWANA children and Bible studies from toddlers to adult women. She was a sponsor for several youth retreats from New Mexico to Mississippi. To make time for the church responsibilities, Flo became certified in Occupational Health and was health and safety officer at a nearby Northern Telecom facility and then at the former Kelly AFB in San Antonio. In 2001 she moved into a new custom home near Little Elm and worked part time at the elementary school and for a temporary agency. When their parents died in a fire, she took in two great nephews, Jeffery and Robert Russell, guiding them through High School and into college level education. In 2004 she became a home health nurse for an agency in South Dallas until she retired in 2007. Her health deteriorated unexplained until she was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome in 2012, and she passed away on October 31, 2019.She was preceded in death by her father, Bruce Arthur Martz; mother, Aldean Melton Martz; step mother, Lillian Underwood Martz; brothers, Bruce Edwin & Walter Robert; sisters, Grace Aldean & Helen Marie.She is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Frank Richardson of McKinney, Texas; her daughter, Joy Richardson Biscotto & husband, Mark Biscotto of Burnet, Texas; her son, Jay Richardson & wife, Heather Bell Richardson of McKinney, Texas; daughter, Janet Richardson Bell & husband, Andrew Bell of McKinney, Texas. Grandchildren Jordan Richardson, Sara Biscotto, Leah Richardson, Seth Bell, and Joseph Bell. Great nephews Jeffery Russell and Robert Russell; her sister, Lorette Russell of Bethel, Alaska and numerous nieces and nephews.In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for contributions to be made to our Brazilian Missionaries Ken and Luci Davis. Contributions should be made to World Venture; For 6000-141, Flora Richardson Memorial. The mailing address is: World Venture, 20 Inverness Place East, Englewood, CO 80112-5622.
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