Mark S. Richardson, Jr.

Mark S. Richardson, Jr., 90, of Nashville died Monday, May 20, 2013 in Nashville. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 12:00 - 1:30 P.M. at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. A private graveside service will follow in Lynnwood Cemetery with Jeremy Butt officiating. The family suggests memorials to Woodmont Christian Church, 3601 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215 or the Alzheimer's Association, 4205 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 216, Nashville, TN 37215. Condolences may be offered online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born February 26, 1923 in Mt. Pleasant, he was the son of the late Dr. Mark Schultz (Top) Richardson, Sr. DDS, and Lillian Brown Richardson formerly of Columbia, Tennessee. After attending Columbia Central High School, he graduated from Columbia Military Academy in 1941 and attended Vanderbilt University where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Mr. Richardson answered the call to service in 1943, when he joined the US Naval Air Corps during World War II. He was deployed from Norfolk, Virginia and served as an Ensign with the Sixth Naval District in the Mediterranean. He proudly recalled his time in service piloting Hellcat and Bearcat aircraft from the naval air carrier, the USS Leyte through 1947. He graduated from Bowling Green College through the G.I. Bill with a degree in Accounting, and worked for the Ernst and Ernst accounting firm for seven years. He stayed on active status as a Naval Reserve officer and was honorably discharged in1956. Mr. Richardson served as President of Martha White Foods, Inc. one of the South's largest producers-distributors of flour, corn meal and other food products from 1979-1986. He joined the company as secretary-treasurer in 1959. He was named executive vice-president in 1972, and elected chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors in 1973, and Chief Operating Officer in 1978. He was heavily involved in one of the company's strongest growth periods. Mr. Richardson also served as an active Board Member for Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation, in Chester Illinois for over twenty years. He served his community through the Elks and Rotary Clubs; as a supporter of Big Brothers; and a Commissioner for the City of Forest Hills. Mark was active as an early board member of the Hillwood Country Club; and a member of Belle Meade Country Club, where he was the "Gin Rummy Champ" for many years. He loved to play golf, and spoiled his grandchildren. After retirement he traveled extensively with his wife Robbie and their friends. He was a member of Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville. Survivors include his loving wife whom he married in November 1947, Erma Dell "Robbie" Robertson Richardson of Nashville; their two children Terry Brown (Teresa Kelly) Richardson of Memphis and Elizabeth Ann (Jerry) Trescott of Nashville; two grandchildren; Mark Albert (Sara Beth) Cunningham of Knoxville and Rachel Elizabeth Cunningham, of Sykesville, MD; a sister, Lillian Sue (John G.) Bass of Murfreesboro; and two nieces and four nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph T. Richardson, DDS of San Antonio, Texas.