Leola Richardson

Leola Irene Richardson, 76, of Oriole passed away Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, at the home of her son in Oriole.

She was born May 26, 1934, in Oriole, daughter of Omer Lee and Louise Jane Kinnard Abernathy. She and Monroe R. Richardson were married Aug. 14, 1950. He preceded her in death Dec. 15, 2003.

Leola worked as a sewing machine operator for Thorngate Manufacturing and the former Tri-con Industries in Cape Girardeau. She also had worked as a line technician at Quality Packaging for 12 years, retiring in 2002.

Loving survivors include three sons, Monroe Richardson Jr. and wife Sheila, Billy Richardson, Wesley Richardson, all of Cape Girardeau; six daughters, Catherine McJunkins and husband Dave of Osage Beach, Mo., Marie Mize of Jackson, Lois Markham and husband Chris of Tallahassee, Fla., Shirley Simmons and husband John of Jackson, Elaine Byrkit and husband Mark of Plano, Texas, Betty Watson and husband Wayne of Marble Hill, Mo.; two sisters, Rosa "Tillie" Farrow and Jennie Rastl of Cape Girardeau; and a brother, Gilbert Abernathy of Peoria, Ill.

Also surviving are 24 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and she was looking forward to a new great-grandbaby due in April.

In addition to her husband of 53 years, she was preceded in death by two infant grandsons; a brother, Jerome Abernathy; and a sister, Dorothy Singleton.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Donnie Ford officiating.

Burial will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Cape County Regional Dialysis Center or the Missouri Kidney Program.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.