Alma Ruth Richardson

1939 - 2020

On Friday, November 13, 2020, Alma Ruth (Hubbard) Richardson of Hazel Green, Alabama passed away in Moulton, Alabama at the age of eighty-one following a period of declining health and a battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia. She was born June 16, 1939 near Catron, Missouri to Ralph C. and Alma E. Hubbard who each preceded her in death. On July 30, 1961, she was married to David W. Richardson, a Methodist minister, in Lilbourn, Missouri. She was a devoted wife who served alongside her husband in ministry for 36 years until his passing in 1998. A career educator, she was a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and later earned a master's degree from Lindenwood College. She enjoyed teaching students in a number of school systems in Missouri including Morehouse, Gideon, Hayti, Portageville, and Poplar Bluff. Raised on a farm, Ruth had a lifelong interest in planting things, particularly flowers, and carried irises from her childhood farmhouse to parsonages in Missouri and her homes in Alabama. She also enjoyed vacation trips, playing the piano, cooking, and sewing and decorating. However, her greatest joy was spending time with loved ones. She was a member of Hazel Green United Methodist Church and was an active member of the United Methodist Women her entire adult life. Ruth was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary E. (Hubbard) Jones and Martha Jean (Hubbard) Stewart and is survived by one sister, Marjorie Alice (Hubbard) Bourzikas of St. Louis, Missouri. She is also survived by two sons, Joseph D. Richardson (Wendy) of Spanish Fort, Alabama and Stephen W. Richardson (Erin) of Hazel Green, Alabama, along with four grandchildren, Annie, April, Hannah and John Richardson, and a number of nephews and nieces. Interment will be in New Sharon Cemetery in Hazel Green. A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family wishes memorial contributions be made to Temenos Catholic Worker.