Renate M. Richardson

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Renate M. Richardson, of Cookeville, Tennessee, who departed this life on December 7, 2025 from AML leukemia at 90 years old. After beating stage 3 ovarian cancer just one year earlier. Born on November 21, 1935, in Erfurt, Germany, Renate's life journey began in a place far from the rolling hills and warm community of her later home.

Renate was the cherished daughter of Heinrich and Gertrud Kochinke. Her early years during the tumultuous times of World War II shaped her resilience and compelled her to embrace life with fervor. As a young woman, she worked as a civilian in an American military hospital in Germany, where she met her first husband, Ernest Garland Hurst. They married on April 5, 1960, in Basel, Switzerland, later becoming a proud American citizen November 10, 1972 and together they built a loving home for 28 years until his passing on May 10, 1988.

Renate later found love once more with Disney Delton Richardson of Fentress County, Tennessee, whom she married on March 3, 1990. Their union lasted for 30 beautiful years, filled with laughter, love, and warmth. Renate's family was her pride and joy; she was preceded in death by her beloved husbands, Ernest Garland Hurst and Disney Delton Richardson, esteemed son Rockford Richardson and cherished Daughters Brenda Myers and Francis Richardson.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, having touched the lives of many. Renate is survived by her son, Ernie Hurst, daughters Renate Knox, Linda Allen and Karen Richardson, 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great- grandchildren all of whom will forever carry a piece of her spirit in their hearts.

Renate was more than a mother and grandmother; she was an artist whose medium was fabric. As a seasoned quilter, she dedicated countless hours to creating beautiful quilts for those in need. Her charity quilts, crafted with love, found their way to the Ronald McDonald House, the Shriners, Bags of Love, veterans, and Livingston Hospital. Her passion for quilting was a testament to her generous heart, with each stitch representing her desire to bring comfort and warmth to others. Her work was so prolific that her quilts could cover the entire county, a true reflection of her selfless spirit.

Renate’s life was marked by her unwavering love for her family and community. Her kindness and generosity will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. 

Visiting hours will be Wednesday, December 10, from 5:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. A service to honor Renate’s remarkable life will be held on Thursday, December 11, at 11:00 a.m. in Whitson Funeral Home, where friends and family are invited to celebrate her legacy and bid farewell to a beloved matriarch. The Burial will follow at the David Richardson Cemetery in Monroe, Tennessee.

As we remember Renate M. Richardson, let us cherish the memories of her compassion, her laughter, and her boundless love. She will be greatly missed, but her spirit will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who loved her. May she rest in peace.