Joann Walter Richardson

Joann Joey Walter Richardson stepped into the presence of God s peace and her eternal life on August 18, 2022. Devoted to her Savior, her family, friends, church and community, Joann always served others with a cheerful heart and a generous spirit.
Born to Albert and Minnie Walter, Joann was a proud native of Miami, Florida. She graduated from Miami High in 1949. She attended Florida State University before transferring to Emory University School of Nursing. There she met Dr. John R. Richardson, Jr. in Sunday school at the church his Father pastored in Atlanta. They married and after serving his medical ROTC at Ft. Benning they eventually moved to Coral Gables, Florida. Joann valued her position as homemaker and full-time mother to their four children. Joann was an active member of Granada Presbyterian Church for 30 years. Her community involvement included the Garden Club of Coral Gables and the Parents Guild at Westminster Christian School. After 29 wonderful years of marriage she lost her beloved husband, John R., to cancer. In 1995 she moved to Jupiter, Florida and returned to home health nursing. In her spare time she enjoyed her favorite pastime of walking on the beach and collecting shells, reminding her of her childhood years in old Miami. She loved the beauty of God s creation. Sunsets, full moons and the ocean always evoked a sense of awe and thanksgiving for what God created. She loved history and became a member of the Loxahatchee Guild and served as a docent at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. She lovingly referred to the lighthouse as hers .
Attending a reunion of Hialeah natives, she rekindled a friendship with Dal Kersey. They married and enjoyed five years of traveling and sweet companionship before sadly, also, losing Dal to cancer.
Throughout all her years Joann was the quintessential hostess, always welcoming others and making her home a place to gather and enjoy fellowship. Joann love to talk to people of all ages and had a sincere interest in what they had to say. She was always ready to deliver a meal to someone who was hurting and never showed up empty handed anywhere she was invited. Joann was a Godly woman whose faith was profoundly important to her. She loved butterflies. She would share the good news of salvation by telling the story of the caterpillar(our old life) becoming a beautiful butterfly when we ask Jesus into our hearts and become a new creature in Christ. She was an eternal optimist and always an encourager. Together she and John laid the foundation that would lead their children to a saving faith in Christ.
She had a great admiration for missionary work. Joann and John entertained and welcomed many missionaries into their home over the years. At one point, Joann traveled with a missions group to China to teach English at the University in Tsingtao.
Joann loved the United States of America and the beautiful flag that represents our country. She took civic duty seriously and served as a poll worker in Jupiter.
She is survived by her children JR Richardson, III (Barbara) of Peachtree Corners, GA., Walter Richardson (Julie) of Miami, FL., Mary Grace Richardson of Jupiter, FL., and Joanna Richardson Kaiser (Mark) of Tequesta, FL. She was blessed with seven grandsons, John Richardson, William Richardson (Heidi), Robert Richardson (Devin), David Richardson, Jason Richardson, Jimmy Kaiser and Jack Kaiser. And further blessed last year with two great grandchildren Riley Richardson and Ian Richardson. Joann is also survived by her brother AP Walter, Jr. (Sandy), her brother-in-law Curtis Sidden, sisters-in-law Eleanor Richardson Cox, Bibby Richardson Swayze (Dick), Florence Richardson Scott and her beloved nieces and nephews from each family. She was predeceased by her sister Mary Elizabeth Sidden.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to:
Trustbridge of Palm Beach, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 or trustbridge.com
University of Miami, Katz Division of Nephrology and Hypertension to support the annual Cunio-Richardson lecture Mercy Ships at mercyships.org. Livestream: Memorial Service for Joann Richardson