Jonnie Rae Richardson

Jonnie Rae Richardson, 90, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, after a long and fulfilling life. Jonnie was born on January 16, 1935, in Monroe, Louisiana, to the late John and Florine Gonzales. At 26, she met the love of her life, Roy Richardson. In their 54 years of marriage, they raised five children: Brenda, Terry, Randy, Steven, and Roy Jr.

Jonnie's professional pursuits included running the family boot store, traversing rural Caddo Parish in the library bookmobile, and publishing numerous novels and short stories under the pseudonym Jonni Rich. As an author, Jonnie wrote about brave heroines who solved mysteries and overcame dangerous obstacles with their resilience and pluck.

Jonnie was a socialite who loved attending Sunday School at Grawood Baptist Church where she enjoyed the fellowship with the ladies in her class. She also loved writers' meetings and family gatherings. She was a beloved Mawmaw to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved reading (especially mysteries and suspense), baking, and collecting books and antiques. She was a night owl, often awake into the wee hours reading or writing her next story. She was an optimist and a dreamer with an unbreakable spirit. Anyone who knew Jonnie would be hard-pressed to forget her curiosity, creativity, and mischievous wit.

Jonnie is preceded in death by her parents, John T. and Audrey Florine Gonzales; husband, Roy E. Richardson, Sr.; sons, Steven T. Richardson and Randy D. Richardson; and brother, Ronald B. Gonzales. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Brenda R. Gomez and husband, Jose, Terry W. Richardson and wife, Anita, and Roy E. Richardson, Jr. and wife, Rhonda; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will carry on her legacy; and her brother, Ramon Gonzales.

A Memorial Service will be held for Jonnie on Friday, January 16, 2026 at Grawood Baptist Church, 5841 Colquitt Rd., Keithville, Louisiana. A visitation will be held on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service at the church. Officiating the service will be Pastor Chris Willcutt.