Mary Nela Vaughan Richardson

Mary Nela Vaughan Richardson, 74, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on April 19, 2025. A visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at Mulhearn Funeral Home, 2308 Sterlington Road, Monroe, LA. A celebration of life will be at 3:00 PM on Friday April 25, 2025 at Christ Church at the West Monroe campus located at 208 Lincoln Street. A time of visitation will be immediately before the celebration of life from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM. Rev. Bob Clanton and Rev. Tom Lowe will be officiating. Burial will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery, 623 US-80, Monroe, LA under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home. Mary was born on May 18, 1950 in Monroe, LA to Charles Eugene Vaughan III and Gwendolyn Ball Vaughan. She grew up in Monroe, LA and graduated from Neville High School in 1968. Mary attended Louisiana Tech University and earned a Bachelor of Social Studies Education and English Education. She later studied at Northeast Louisiana University where she received her Master of History.

While she was busy working towards her master’s degree in 1973, Mary was pursued by Glen Richardson, the love of her life. They got to know each other better through their close friends, Bob and Martha Clanton. Mary and Glen were married on October 11, 1975. Mary had a heart for teaching and made a lasting impact during her 20-year career. She taught in public schools for a brief time but felt most fulfilled during the remainder of her career homeschooling her children and teaching at various Christian schools. She especially enjoyed teaching world geography and was known for her passion for education and her students. Outside the classroom Mary loved to read historical novels, play tennis, travel, watch sports, especially baseball. Her favorite hobby was tending to her many plants and yard. She was a huge animal lover. Her cat Gracie was a comforting companion during her final years. Mary’s faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of her life. Her relationship with the Lord was her highest priority. During her battle with brain cancer, she trusted God deeply and found purpose in prayer and intercession. Mary was sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in her life. Out of her relationship with Jesus flowed her purpose which was loving God, her family, and others. She faithfully prayed for many people, especially her family. She participated in intercessory prayer groups throughout her community and with her friends. Mary had a heart for the nations of the world and ministered to people wherever she traveled. She offered support to others not only through prayers but also through generosity and compassion. As a lifelong learner, Mary continued to seek wisdom and understanding in her final year as she felt God still had a purpose for her. God taught her more about prayer and how to faithfully pray for the people in her life. Her morning devotional and prayer time with her husband, Glen, remained a cherished time until her final days. During the last weeks of her life, her husband and daughters gathered around her bedside to help her continue to fulfill her purpose. Mary is survived by her devoted husband of 49 years, Glen Richardson; her three daughters, Rebecca Richardson, Angie Richardson, and Julie Ramsey (Dobson). She will always be known affectionately as "NeNe" to her two grandchildren, Tripp Ramsey and Josie Ramsey. She is also survived by her sister Catherine “Kitty” Murphy and many special nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Eugene Vaughan, Jr. and Gwendolyn Ball Vaughan. We as a family would like to extend deep gratitude for their devoted care and compassion to:

Dr. Bharat Guthikonda and staff at Ochsner Medical Center in Shreveport, Dr. Scott Boniol and staff at Christus Cancer Treatment Center in Bossier, Dr. Billy Branch and staff in Sterlington, STAT Home Health, Homedica, St. Joseph Hospice Care, Teresa of Charlie’s Angels sitting agency, and the special caregivers The loving and generous family, friends, and neighbors who prayed for her and came for home visits, provided meals, flowers, gifts, handwritten cards, and letters of encouragement

We love you all and will never forget your acts of kindness, generosity, and support.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be Mark Murphy, David Hunt, Bobby Burroughs, Kevin Russell, Mark Bragg, Ron Bush, and Steve Jeslink.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Grace Place Ministries, P.O. Box 602 Monroe, LA 71210, Life Choices Pregnancy Center, 2007 Roselawn Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201, or Christ Church Building Fund Sterlington campus, 208 Lincoln Street, West Monroe, LA 7129.