LETA MARIE (CANNON) RICHARDSON

Leta Marie (Cannon) Richardson, 98, of Fairfield, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2020 in Fairfield. Private family services were held July 30 at Capps Memorial Chapel with Rev. Terry Skinner officiating. Interment followed at Antioch Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mark Chavers, Gene Chavers, H. J. Cannon, III, Thomas Gene Cannon and Doyle Cannon.

Leta Marie (Cannon) Richardson was born November 2, 1921, in the Grange Hall Community in Freestone County, Texas, to Hilmon Thomas Cannon and Era Lee York Cannon. She passed away at the age of 98, on July 28 in Fairfield. She was raised in the Grange Hall Community where she attended church and grade school and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1940. After graduation, she moved to Austin, where she worked in the State Hospital facility until her marriage to John Newburn Richardson in 1942.

Marie lived most of her life in Fairfield except for a time when she joined Newburn in Dothan, Alabama where he was stationed during World War II. She and Newburn raised their two daughters, Johnnie Beth and Joan in Fairfield and she was like a second mother to several of their friends.

Marie was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, daughter and sister and taking care of her family was her primary job all of her life. She worked part-time as bookkeeper for her husband while he was the local Red Arrow Freight Agent. She was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfield where she and Newburn attended until her health prevented her from doing so. She particularly loved helping with Vacation Bible School.

Mrs. Richardson was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers: Millard Cannon, H. J. Cannon, Jr. and Thomas Doyle Cannon, sisters: Zuma Lea Cannon Henry and Juanita Cannon Chavers. Also preceding her in death was her son-in-law, William H. Ruth.

Mrs. Richardson is survived by daughters, Beth Richardson Edwards (Ralph) of Tyler, Texas and Joan Richardson Ruth of Longview, Texas. She is survived by grandchildren, Gina Edwards Hammack (David), Melany Edwards Porter (Steve), Amy Ruth Rainoshek and Alan Ruth. Great grandchildren, Collin Hammack, Brady Hammack, Ayden Porter, Jackson Porter, Isabella Porter, Morgan Ruth, Taylor Ruth, Kaley Ruth, Colton Rainoshek and J.T. Cooley. Also surviving her, a sister-in-law, Mildred Burkhart and many special nieces and nephews. The family would like to express appreciation to Fairfield Nursing and Rehab for caring for Mrs. Richardson during the past nine years. Also, thanks to Providence Hospice who has provided assistance during the past months, and especially to volunteer Vicky Cheek of Fairfield, who was a faithful visitor and special friend for several years.