Mary Lynn (Carter) Richardson

It’s hard to write an obituary for someone who was always so full of life. Nothing that I put on paper will do justice in summing up the legacy of Mary Lynn Richardson. She was truly a woman who loved fiercely, laughed freely, and lived faithfully.

Mary Lynn Carter Richardson was born on March 11, 1935, to parents Vivian and Ruby Carter. Born the baby of the family, she joined two older sisters and an older brother. She fit the baby of the family role perfectly and brought joy through mischief to those around her. Ever the one to follow the rules, Mary Lynn went off and excelled at college. It was there where she found two of the greatest passions of her life—her husband, Isum “Bud” Richardson, and her lifelong career, education. After graduating, she married and began living out the greatest testimony of her life.

There’s much to be said about the testimony of a happy, healthy marriage. Many times over the 64 years they were married, she and Bud were looked to as a shining example of what a marriage should look like. A beautiful marriage should be a picture of the Gospel and that is what theirs was. In her last marriage advice to her grandson, she had her husband remind him that a “happy wife equals a happy life.” While that is true, her example spoke louder than words. Mary Lynn loved the Lord and served Him and because of that love, she was able to be a partner to her husband in every sense of the word. She was an encourager, a protector, a forgiver, and the best friend he could ever have. We can rest assured knowing that she is waiting in Heaven to once again tap him on the shoulder and tell him to “Wake up, Bud.” To which we know he will respond with a “Yes, dear.”

Through that beautiful marriage, Mary Lynn became the mother to their girls- Cynthia and Connie. She adapted to the role of mother easily but was quick to expect perfection. Curled hair, impeccable clothing, and lots of homework arguments could have been how her girls remembered her. But the sweetest picture of this is that “a daughter is a daughter all her life” so the memories of early childhood became replaced as Mary Lynn transformed from the role of mother to “mentor” and then “friend” to her daughters. She provided comfort, protection, and many, many well planned out meals. (Not to mention her roles of babysitter, housecleaner, and shopping partner!) The greatest gift Mary Lynn and Bud gave their girls were each other, as now Cyndi and Connie continue to walk in Mary Lynn’s stylish shoes as mothers, mentors, and friends to their own children and grandchildren.

Another great passion of Mary Lynn’s life was her lifelong career as an educator. Her impact on the world of education may continue growing well beyond the next few decades because she influenced students and coworkers alike and many of those are still in the classroom. She saw so many trends in education come and go, but she was passionate about school so there was never time to stop and rest. Letters must be learned, multiplication facts must be memorized, and fun was to be had! If you had Mary Lynn as a teacher or coworker, you can count on the fact that she remembered you fondly and thought often about the many years she spent inside a classroom.

Finally, if you know Mary Lynn well then you know she was the Martha of the Bible while she was here on Earth. She could always be found serving others by opening her home or her classroom for food and fun fellowship, her arms for holding babies and hearty hugs, and her mind for creative celebrations and critical conversations. While we are sad that our matriarch has moved on to really being able to rest and sit at Jesus’ feet like Mary, we know there will never be an “expiration date” to the memories of the taste of her delicious desserts, the sound of her game night outbursts, the smell of the salt water at the family beach celebrations, the touch of her not so gentle prodding toward literacy for all around her, or the sight of her with Belk/Parisian/Gayfers shopping bags and because of this, we will continue to cook, laugh, love, read, shop, and pray because we had the greatest teacher. Her lasting legacy remains in the fact that her husband, her children, and her grandchildren are all saved. She taught us to trust and follow Jesus. She served Him until He called her home. And although she served on Earth like Martha, she never tired of sitting with her Savior like Mary as she and her husband demonstrated that no matter what hardship they faced, they let their Savior, Jesus Christ, lead them like a Shepherd. And like the true educator she is, she would want you to know that if you are reading or hearing this obituary, it is never too late to choose to follow Jesus. Don’t be afraid to raise your hand and ask how. She will be waiting in Heaven for us all (and probably with some special dessert or perfectly selected gift!)

Mary Lynn is preceded in death by her parents Vivian and Ruby Carter, her sister Hazel Jean Fleming, and her brother Willie Joe Carter.

She is survived by her husband Isum “Bud” Richardson (64 years), her daughters Cynthia Bentley (Robert) and Connie Henderson (Stacy), sister Margaret Young, five grandchildren Heather Roe (Wayne), Heath Lee (Laura Kate), Hunter Lee (Madison), Carter Henderson (Alexandria), and Chloe Henderson, three bonus grandchildren Bobby Bentley (Heather), Chris Bentley (Brooke), and Daniel Bentley (Becky), two great grandchildren, Reed and AJ Roe, and seven bonus great grandchildren, Caitlyn, Logan, Molly, Lukas, Liam, Raelynn, and Kayla Bentley.

In Lieu of Flowers Memorials may be made to Shiloh Baptist Church Senior Adult Fund.