Ann Harper Richardson

Ann Harper Richardson, 9, was born on December 2, 2015 and met her Lord and Savior face to face on March 8, 2025. The middle child of Laura and Breck Richardson, Ann Harper lived in Kosciusko, Mississippi where she was a member of First Baptist Church of Kosciusko and attended Presbyterian Day School.

Ann Harper may have appeared delicate, but she was fierce in all that she did. There was no room for her to doubt her parents’ love for her. Her mother declared the day she found out Ann Harper was a girl as “the best day ever”. She knew she had her daddy’s heart and everyone called her “Sweetie Pie” from the beginning. Laura and Breck’s constant prayers for Ann Harper was that she would know and love the Lord. They modeled their faith for the Lord before Ann Harper and His presence was and is known in their home.

Ann Harper made a public profession of faith and was baptized by her grandfather, Grumpy, on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2024. She loved the Lord fiercely, and it was evident in her conversations with anyone she met. There are countless notes she wrote to everyone reminding us to put God first, even when you go through hard times. She not only spoke of her faith, she also lived out her faith in her acts of love to those around her, especially her siblings. From an early age she loved to help “mother” her big brothers, Jack and Parker, getting them ready for school and out the door and proclaiming to her mom, “We’re good mamas”. And she was. She nurtured her younger siblings, Karis and Gene, endlessly. She and her sister Karis were the best of friends, often tending together to their small village of American Girl Dolls. Ann Harper and Karis had recently begun sleeping in Gene’s bedroom to all be together, with Ann Harper claiming the big bed, of course. On road trips, the siblings preferred to listen to Podcasts but Ann Harper was sure to let the entire van know she was ready to “pick songs” over and over again.

Ann Harper was cherished by all four of her grandparents. She loved special time with her Kaki attending the Teddy Bear Tea and pillow-sandwich with Grandad was her favorite. Her Grumpy gave her gum by the gallons and it has brought smiles to all of us knowing her Mimi let her have cake for breakfast on the morning of the accident. Like her parents, her grandparents lived out their faith in front of Ann Harper. She frequently sat under her Grumpy’s preaching. Kaki and Grandad took her along with the rest of the family to see the Ark and Creation Museum in 2023, with the prayerful hope that the Lord would use the experience for all of the children in developing a Biblical world view.

Ann Harper’s cousins described her as the “life of the party”. When the cousins were together it was constant laughter and mischief. Pranks and adventure were in abundance. She was quick with her wit and let everyone know her opinion with a quick dart of the eye when needed. She loved a sleepover, especially if it involved donuts (NOT PANCAKES) and Wendy’s chicken nuggets. Her aunts and uncles cherished her dearly, she was quick to obey, quick to smile, and quick to ask for a treat, which was hard to refuse.

Ann Harper had a tight-knit group of friends at church and school and in the community. She loved well and was loved. She has run her race and is now wearing an imperishable crown.

Ann Harper is survived by her parents, Laura and Breck Richardson, and siblings Jack, Parker, Karis, and Gene. Grandparents Karis and Claude Harbarger and Janice and Gene Richardson. Aunts and uncles, Robbie and Brent Richardson, Nicki and Brady Richardson, Rachel and Claude Harbarger, and Emily and David Harbarger. Cousins include Abby Park (Hayden), Gracie Woolbright (Tanner), Walt Richardson, Alayna Richardson, Malone Richardson, Maddie Richardson, and Kai Richardson. Harbarger cousins include Lois, Ellie, Claude, and Caleb Harbarger.

Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church in Kosciusko on Wednesday, March 12, from 11 am - 1 pm with memorial service immediately following. Private family burial will precede the service. Ann Harper loved colorful clothes and wore what made her happy, mostly legging and crazy socks. We ask that you wear what makes you happy in her honor as we celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers she would rather you make a donation to Presbyterian Day School in Kosciusko, Ahavaministries.org, the Gideons or any other organization that ministers to children or spreads the gospel.