Mary Jane Richardson

Mary Jane Richardson (92) of Riner, VA, left to be with her family in heaven and the Lord on the afternoon of November 12, 2023. She was a devoted wife, sister, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. As well as an irreplaceable friend and neighbor in the hearts of everyone she met.
Mary Jane was born on September 17, 1931, in Hinton, West Virginia. She was the oldest of eight children, born to Cecil Earl and Lucy Wood Farley. As a young girl her father would read the Bible by the light of an oil lamp. Also, the whole family would listen to the Grand Ole Opry every Saturday night on the radio. She graduated from Shady Springs High School in West Virginia. She later moved to Virginia, where she worked at Hercules and Kenrose Manufacturing in Radford. She met the love of her life and married Billy Gene Richardson at the Grace Brethren Church in Riner on June 9, 1956. They were happily married for 66 years. Throughout that time, they raised their daughter Pamela, as well as their three grandsons, Jermaine, Terrell, and Braedon.
Mary Jane was a wonderful seamstress and was very proud of the bridesmaid dresses, draperies and quilts she made for many of her family members. She was an avid gardener who enjoyed raising flowers, as well as canning the fruits and vegetables she grew in the spring and summer.
She was loved, and admired by her great-nieces, Maggie and Sophie Bishop of Wisconsin, whom she designed and sewed beautiful dresses for that they modeled as toddlers. Always an advocate for youth and community involvement, Mary Jane was the leader of the Riner 4–H for many years. A dedicated homemaker, no one was allowed to leave her house with an empty stomach. Many claim Mary Jane made the best fried chicken, gravy, potato salad, and banana pudding. She was gracious, charitable, selfless and considerate of the people around her. No matter her schedule, Mary Jane would always make time to care for her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as attend every extra-curricular event they took part in.
She was loved by everyone and will be missed by all.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her late husband, Billy Gene Richardson; her parents, Cecil Earl and Lucy Wood Farley; her siblings, David Earl Farley, Willa Mae Shepherd, Lorene Slusher, and Dolly Bishop; as well as her brothers-in-law, Dale Wade, Gene Wade, BA "Bud" Shepherd, Wallace Slusher, Bob Bishop and Bennie Bishop.
Mary Jane is survived by her grandsons, Jermaine Richardson, Terrell Richardson, and Braedon Richardson; her daughter, Pamela Richardson-Finley; great-grandchildren, Isaiah and Autumn Jane Richardson; her sisters, Cora Thompson (Gratton), Florence Bishop, and Lou Belcher (Fred); and a host of beloved nieces and nephews, Debbie Clower, Doug Shepherd, Vicky Akers, Kathy Shepherd, Greg Bishop, Donald Slusher, Becky Slusher Wimmer, Pastor Marvin Wade, Michael Bishop, Dr. Scott Bishop and Jill Cerankowsky; close family Terry Finley, Amber Richardson, Janet Shelburne, Judy Clingenpeel and Margaret Richardson.
Special thank you to Debbie and EJ Clowers and their family, Cora and Gratton Thompson, Danny and Elizabeth West, Dinah Akers, Jessica Gillispie, Clyde Connor and Lori Roop for being there to help with Mary Jane’s care and keeping her spirits high.
Also special thanks to Good Samaritan Hospice for providing treatment and in-home care.
Visitation will be Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. at Horne Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the Horne Funeral Home Chapel with Dr Timothy Hight officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery.