Marilyn Ann Richardson, 80, of Festus died Jan. 21, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield. Mrs. Richardson a homemaker who had many jobs, including babysitting and operating a switchboard for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. The valedictorian of the Class of 1959 at De Soto High School, she attended beautician school. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Festus, where she helped start and worked in the library and was in the quilters group. She enjoyed the outdoors, tending to her lawn and garden, counting deer, puzzles and word searches, reading, family genealogy, the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs and spending time with her family and friends. Born Nov. 25, 1941, in De Soto, she was the daughter of the late Clara Grace (Doebert) and Thomas Carl Coleman.
She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 46 years: Wyman Dale Richardson.
She is survived by three children: Melinda (Jeff) Tarter of St. Peters, Melissa (Greg) Ewing of Marion, N.C., and Jeff (Gail) Richardson of Treasure Island, Fla.; a sister: Alice Cozart; two brothers-in-law: Homer (Gloria) Richardson of Loveland, Ohio, and Kenneth Richardson of Festus; nine grandchildren: Owen and Drew Tarter of St. Peters, Adam (Ashton) Ewing of Michigan, Joshua (Leah) Ewing of Michigan, Katie Ewing of North Carolina, Jacob (fiance Jessica Cook) Ewing of Indiana, Bethany Ewing of Indiana and Ian and Kenneth Richardson of Treasure Island, Fla.; five great-grandchildren: Colton, Brady, Madelyn, Tyler and Levi Ewing of Michigan and two on the way; two “bonus” granddaughters: Madison and Haley Lewis of Festus; six special friends: Frances Laney, Kity Doza, Sandy and Jim Henson and Brad and Stephanie Thompkins; and many other family and friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother: Paul (the late Ruby) Coleman; and two parents-in-law: Henry Hugh and Florence Elizabeth (Koester) Richardson; a brother-in-law: Roger Cozart.
A private graveside service will be held at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Crystal City with John Weaver, Mike Coleman and Greg Ewing officiating, where attendees are asked to wear purple, her favorite color. Memorials may be made to Carondelet Baptist Church, 7309 Virginia Ave., St. Louis MO 63111. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home, Festus.