Nelle Elizabeth Richardson

Nelle Elizabeth Richardson, 85, died on January 18, 2013. She was born on September 8, 1927 to Charles Eddie Pearce and Dollie (Derrick) Pearce in Jackson, Tennessee. When Nelle graduated from high school she attended Business College, and after obtaining an associate degree she worked for Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company. She began as a service representative and accepted a promotion to auditor. Nelle had an interest and talent in music from a very early age. While working for Southern Bell she studied voice with Jerome Robertson at the University of Memphis. Nelle enjoyed singing opera and rejected a promising career in favor of marriage and family life. She married her high school sweetheart, George Alton Richardson, and planned her family. After working at Southern Bell for ten years, from 1945-1955, Nelle resigned to be a full-time mother after the birth of her first child. After her children were in school Nelle became an active supporter of the Christian ministry, the Word of Truth, based out of Los Angeles. California. The ministry continues today. Nelle edited the work of the Bible teacher, Otis Q. Sellers, for fourteen years. In 1975 she took a full time position at Jackson State Community College, where she was promoted to two concurrent positions, Coordinator of Student Job Placement and Public Relation Coordinator. Nelle retired from Jackson State in 1989. In 2009, Nelle moved to Longmont, Colorado to spend time with her daughter. She enjoyed the Rocky Mountains and made many new friends. Her exuberance and enthusiasm from life, her beautiful voice, and her many talents including flower arranging, will be missed by her many friends and family. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Alton Richardson; her son Mike Richardson and his wife Peggy Richardson; her daughter Lisa Massengill and her husband Mark Massengill.

Family and close friends are invited to the graveside service at Hollywood Cemetery in Jackson, Tennessee on Thursday, January 24 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Salvation Army, Nelle’s favorite charity.

Please share thoughts, memories and condolences at www.howemortuary.com and www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com