Mildred Juanita Richardson
September 3, 1937 - December 28, 2023

Mildred Richardson, 86, of Axtell (formerly of Elm Mott), passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2023. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday January 6, 2024 at Bellmead Funeral Home, 809 La Clede Street. Visitation will be at Bellmead Funeral Home from 6-8:00 pm Friday January 5, 2024. Burial will follow at Gholson Cemetery Friday January 6, 2024
Mildred was born on September 3, 1937, in Gholson, Texas. She was the oldest of 5 children born to Albert Carter York and Nettie Mae (Weaver) York. Mildred loved school and graduated as the Valedictorian of West High School in 1955.
Mildred worked for Clifton Manufacturing in Waco after high school. In 1961, she married Otis Richardson who was the love of her life. She was a stay-at-home mom while raising their four children, but also did the bookkeeping for their business, G.I. Lewis Refrigeration. After the children were grown, she went back to work at the Helen Marie Taylor Museum in Waco from 1994-1996. In 1996, she joined Otis at Latham Springs Baptist Encampment. They both truly enjoyed working there until retirement in 2008.
Mildred had a deep love for reading books, crocheting afghans for family, and working on word and number puzzles. She spent countless hours researching her family genealogy in libraries, cemeteries, and court houses.
Mildred was very dedicated to taking care of her family. She deeply loved her children and grandchildren, and she enjoyed any time they visited. She had an infectious laugh, rarely had a bad day, and was loved for her kind spirit.
Otis passed away in 2019 after 58 years of marriage. Mildred is survived by her four children, Anita (Greg) Smith of Trinity, Texas, David Richardson of Axtell, Texas, Daniel (Sonya) Richardson of Paradise, Texas, and Theresa (Matt) Penney of China Spring, Texas. She will also be remembered by her 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Bertha Faye Bays of Axtell and Betty (Lee) Atkins of Waco. There are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will also miss her.