Josephine Allen

Josephine "Jo" Richardson Allen

BOSSIER CITY, LA - Josephine "Jo" Richardson Allen, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2015, at the age of 80, at her residence in Bossier City, LA.

Jo was born in O'Farrell, TX on June 7, 1935 and was married to James Edward Allen, Jr., of Moundsville, WV on April 8, 1956. She lived in Shreveport, LA most of her adult life before moving to Bossier City in recent years.

Jo had retired from Western Union after 24 years and began a different career as a Teacher Aide for Caddo Parish Schools, working at Stoner Hill Elem for 20 years before retiring.

Jo enjoyed family life; she loved cooking and sewing, and was active at Cherokee Park Baptist Church, was involved in the PTA, was a Den Mother in scouting, and very active in her daughter's activities of twirling, modeling and beauty pageants. She was known for hosting themed birthday parties, enjoying games of cards, scrabble, or dominoes with friends or family. She leaves a legacy of strength, independence, and great love for her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Edward Allen, Jr.; her parents, Robert Henry Richardson and Nora Fay Hays Richardson; and a sister, Estelle Pate.

Jo is survived by a son, James "Matt" Allen and daughter-in-law, Maria Allen, of Lafayette, LA; a daughter, Lisa Jo Allen Baffuto-Doles and son-in-law, Bryan Doles, of Bossier City, LA; a former son-in-law, Frank Baffuto of Bossier City, LA; her grandsons, John Allen and David Allen of Lafayette, LA; and her granddaughters, Courtney Baffuto, Jessica Baffuto, and Jina Baffuto of Bossier City, LA.

Jo is also survived by a sister, Ruth Ann Taffi and her husband Ron of Bossier City, LA; two brothers, Robert W. Richardson and his wife Deborah of Warrior, AL, and Jerry W. Richardson and his wife Cheryl of Atlanta, TX; a sister-in-law, Vivian Taylor of Moundsville, WV; nieces, Beverly Combs, Candy Yates; Jeri Lyn Jones; nephews, Allen Taylor, David Taylor, John Richardson, James Richardson, Joe Kelly Richardson, and all of their respective spouses, as well as great nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to the many doctors, nurses, and other care-givers providing care and comfort to Josephine in this past year, especially most recently through Shreveport-Bossier Hospice.

There will be visitation at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr, Bossier City, LA, Friday, November 20, 2015, from 6pm-8pm. Funeral Services will be at the same location, Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 10:30am. A procession will immediately follow for interment at Rose-Neath Cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Rd, Bossier City LA. Services will be officiated by Woody Janise.

Pallbearers will be John Allen, David Allen, John Richardson, James Richardson, Bob Yates, Caleb Yates and Art Villarreai. Honorary Pallbearers will be Courtney Baffuto, Jessica Baffuto, and Jina Baffuto.