Pate Elizabeth Richardson

Pate Elizabeth Richardson passed away in the early hours of April 9th, 2026, surrounded by loved ones, at the age of 28. She was an enigmatic person who refused to be hemmed in. A funky duck (though she would have claimed frog), a smooth operator; she was hilarious and could shape shift from bedraggled thrift store granny to Hollywood icon in a minute. In a world of algorithms and pigeonholes, labels found no perch on her life’s interesting and twisting boughs. The sun shone brighter when Pate was around.

She had been president of her high school, 1st team all regional lacrosse and attended Girls State. At the University of Missouri she was president of her business fraternity, changed her degree from journalism to geology, conducted research in Italy and lived and worked on a New Mexico cattle ranch. In recent years, she purchased and owned a home in Richmond, was an avid cyclist and climber and was quickly finding success in her chosen field of environmental compliance. But despite her contributions, she would have said her greatest achievement of all were her friends and community.

She jumped without looking; she was brave and could be wild. Even after being dealt a losing hand, osteosarcoma at 26, amputee at 27, she played life like it was full of aces. She had mettle, had moxie. She smiled and laughed often, was passionate and resolute. She believed that kindness is paramount and that time is our most precious resource. She chose to use that resource making new friends and maintaining old ones. Even at such a young age, the idea that her portrait could some day hang in a hall of greats would have been met with hearty approval and acclamation from those that knew her.

Her untimely passing leaves her legacy in the countless hands of fierce, loyal friends and loved ones. It is easy to take up that torch when the memory you carry is of a life that included you in its ongoing mosaic. She let people in; many people knew and cherished her. Pate was weaving a tapestry of people and would want us to keep building from those unfinished edges.

Pate is survived by her parents, Buz and Janet Richardson, brother GL, his fiancé Anna, grandmother Sally Sykes, uncle David Sykes, her dog Fennec and innumerable friends. A visitation will be held Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2:00pm at the Gayton Baptist Church followed by a memorial service at 3:00pm with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be dedicated in her memory to the James River Association by visiting thejamesriver.org/donate.