Lera O’Neal Richardson, 100, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma left this world on April 17, 2020 for her rewards in Heaven where she was reunited with her husband, Earl Richardson, her son, David Neal Richardson and grandson, David Michael Richardson with a host of other families and friends.
Lera was born July 19, 1919 to Curtis and Annie Faye Melbourne O’Neal at their farm located between Melbourne and Lunenburg. Lera was an only child until she was 16 and 2 sisters were born. She is survived by her two sisters, Nell Whistehurst (Dude) of Melbourne, Arkansas and Pat Whistehurst,of Sherwood, Arkansas; granddaughters, Natasha Puryear of Louisville, Kentucky, Jennifer Burdette of Edgewood, Kentucky; great grandchildren, Morgan, Dylan, Ryan and Preston and other family and friends.
Lera started to school at Halls Chapel until sixth grade she attended Lunenburg Elementary. She went to a two room schoolhouse which had a wood burning stove. She walked the two and a half miles each day. She graduated from Melbourne High School which is where she met her future husband Earl. They married August 4, 1937, Lera was 18 and Earl 22.
Lera’s calling was being a housewife and mother. She did not go to work full time until after David graduated. Lera worked for Macklanburg-Duncan Company for 24 years until retiring June 1981.
Lera was baptized in a creek during a Revival, she was 17 years old. She was baptized again in the Jordan River March 27, 1995, during a Holy Land trip with her son, David. Lera loved to travel and made many trips with friends O.A. and Dorothy Garr as well as with her Keenager Group at Crossings Community Church and others.
Church was also a large part of Lera’s life. In 1959, a small group from their church at 10th amd Shartell broke off to start a new congregation at 55th Place and North Linn called Westridge Hills Church of God. There was less than 50 members. This church is now the Crossings Community Church. Lera was one of these founding members and was thrilled to be on stage for the 60th Anniversary Celebration.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday August 15, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at The Chapel at Crossings Community Church, 14600 North Portland Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73134.
