Obituary for Emma Frances Snavley Richardson
Emma Frances Snavely Richardson, 23 December 1921 – 6 October 2021
Nonnie passed away peacefully asleep while in the gentle care of CHI Franciscan Hospice House. She was born at Fort Clark in Brackettville, Texas to Earl S and Emma F Snavely. The oldest of three children, Emma lost her mother when she was twelve and became the woman of the house. The family moved from Army Post to Army Post, and she met her husband, Lester (Bob) Richardson, at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Married in 1940, Emma lived in San Antonio and Dallas during WW II while her husband served in Europe. After the war, the family relocated to Tacoma when Lester was transferred to Fort Lewis. In July 1950, Lester shipped out to fight in Korea. He was KIA in August 1950, leaving Emma alone to raise their two boys, ages 3 and 7. She managed to purchase a house in Lakewood and found work wherever she could to support her young family. In 1956 she enrolled at the College of Puget Sound to fulfill her life’s ambition to become a teacher. After her graduation in 1960, she started teaching elementary school for the Clover Park School District. Thirty-one years later, she retired in 1991. Always busy, she had a full retirement including traveling to Texas to visit family, taking art classes, painting, and spending time with her grandchildren creating many fond memories.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lt. Lester Richardson, her son Lester Reed (Teresa), her brother Earl S Snavely Jr (Peggy), and her sister Betty J Mozisek (Raymond). She is survived by her son Robert E (Rayanne), seven grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, two nieces, Sandy Klein (Paul) and Cindy Callins (George), one nephew, David Snavely (Elsa), and extended family. She was looking forward to her 100th birthday party in December when the whole family planned on gathering to celebrate. Thank you to the staff and residents at King’s Manor for making her last few years enjoyable and to the staff at Franciscan Hospice House for taking tender care of her at the end of her life’s journey.
Mass will be celebrated Saturday November 13th, 11:00 am at St. Ann Catholic Church, 7001 Park Ave, Tacoma, WA, reception following.
Nonnie passed away peacefully asleep while in the gentle care of CHI Franciscan Hospice House. She was born at Fort Clark in Brackettville, Texas to Earl S and Emma F Snavely. The oldest of three children, Emma lost her mother when she was twelve and became the woman of the house. The family moved from Army Post to Army Post, and she met her husband, Lester (Bob) Richardson, at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Married in 1940, Emma lived in San Antonio and Dallas during WW II while her husband served in Europe. After the war, the family relocated to Tacoma when Lester was transferred to Fort Lewis. In July 1950, Lester shipped out to fight in Korea. He was KIA in August 1950, leaving Emma alone to raise their two boys, ages 3 and 7. She managed to purchase a house in Lakewood and found work wherever she could to support her young family. In 1956 she enrolled at the College of Puget Sound to fulfill her life’s ambition to become a teacher. After her graduation in 1960, she started teaching elementary school for the Clover Park School District. Thirty-one years later, she retired in 1991. Always busy, she had a full retirement including traveling to Texas to visit family, taking art classes, painting, and spending time with her grandchildren creating many fond memories.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lt. Lester Richardson, her son Lester Reed (Teresa), her brother Earl S Snavely Jr (Peggy), and her sister Betty J Mozisek (Raymond). She is survived by her son Robert E (Rayanne), seven grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, two nieces, Sandy Klein (Paul) and Cindy Callins (George), one nephew, David Snavely (Elsa), and extended family. She was looking forward to her 100th birthday party in December when the whole family planned on gathering to celebrate. Thank you to the staff and residents at King’s Manor for making her last few years enjoyable and to the staff at Franciscan Hospice House for taking tender care of her at the end of her life’s journey.
Mass will be celebrated Saturday November 13th, 11:00 am at St. Ann Catholic Church, 7001 Park Ave, Tacoma, WA, reception following.