On April 21, 2018 at the age of 84, JoAnn Richardson was received into God’s eternal Kingdom. JoAnn was the youngest of 8 children born at home in the Obids community of Ashe County, NC to the parents of Fredrick Clinton and Mary Ann Brown Dillard. At the age of thirteen, she was baptized in the Idlewild branch of the New River in the Obids community near West Jefferson, NC. After graduating from Jefferson High School in 1951, she moved to Greensboro and began her career with Southern Bell as a Telephone Operator. For over 39 years, her voice could be heard on the other end of the AT&T phone system, “Operator, may I help you.” Helping others was JoAnn’s mission and joy in life.
In 1976, she married Orville M. Richardson who in 2006 preceded her in death. Together they built a Christian home and served family, neighbors, and friends. They loved to travel and served as faithful stewards to their church.
JoAnn participated in writing the history of Ashe County and was an ardent follower of current events, world news, and family ancestry. She was an avid reader, thrived in music, lived in the Holy Word, and had the gift of a giving heart. She was known to always have Hershey bars for the children and those who visited her.
She loved to share the stories of her life growing up on the farm and how much love was shared by her parents, grandparents, and siblings. She shared how travelers would stop on the road in front of the farm and they would invite them in to share stories, news, and eat. Their table was always open to anyone who needed sustenance for the journey. Cool mountain waters flowed freely into the springhouse to quench the thirst of the thirsty. Food grew in the fields that set the rhythms of the seasons of life just like the rhythms that brought the milk cows to the milk barn every morning and late afternoon. The farm life taught one to rely on God and God’s grace for life’s journey.
JoAnn followed Christ throughout her life often jotting down Bible verses and sharing them with those who visited her or leaving them lying around to be found and encourage others. Until recent years, she was an active member of Lawndale Baptist Church and the Life Journey Group. She continued to be part of the seniors’ ministry. She read her Bible daily and searched the scriptures for guidance.
She is survived by her faithful-beloved sister and caregiver, Lillian D. Cudworth. JoAnn and Orville had many loved nieces and nephews and give thanks for sharing in all of their lives. JoAnn had a special relationship with her nephew, Jimmy Michael, and his wife, the Rev. Dr. Suzanne Michael. She also had many great nieces and nephews who brightened her days and added joy to life’s journey. Through the years, JoAnn and Orville were blessed with two pet dogs, Cindy and Corrie, who brought love and companionship to their lives.
In addition to her spouse and parents, JoAnn was preceded in death by her siblings: Gene, Frank, and Ralph Dillard, Frances Lanier, Carol Unger, and Ruth Dillard.
Family visitation will be at Lawndale Baptist Church on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 from 1:00-1:30pm followed by a 1:30pm Celebration of Life Service officiated by Rev. Marion Boling and Rev. Jonathan Boling. Interment will follow at Westminster Gardens Cemetery.
We thank Kerner Ridge Assisted Living in Kernersville for the care and kindness with which they embraced JoAnn during her last few months of life. We appreciate the Hospice & Palliative Care Center of Winston-Salem for their compassion and professionalism.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Hope UMC, P.O. Box 110, Bethania, NC 27106 designated for Outreach Ministries. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com. Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm chapel is assisting Mrs. Richardson’s family.
