Elsie Mae (CALDWELL) RICHARDSON

CALDWELL, GRAHAM, RICHARDSON, SHIELDS, HOOVER, SMITH

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/2/2009 at 17:30:02

OBITUARY.

Elsie Mae RICHARDSON, daughter of David Henry and Luella (GRAHAM) CALDWELL, was born April 21, 1897 at Caledonia, Iowa and peacefully departed this life April 14, 1981 at her home in Mount Ayr. She was 83 years, 11 months and 24 days of age at her passing.

Elsie received her education in schools of Ringgold County and attended Normal School at Mount Ayr. As a young woman she followed a deep religius faith into the waters of baptism and became a member of the Methodist Church at Caledonia where she later shared her faith for years as a Sunday school teacher. Upon moving to Mount Ayr in 1968, Elsie attended the First Baptist church where she continued in attendance as long as her health permitted. On Dec 25, 1917 she was joined in marriage to Fred Lee RICHARDSON, who like herself was a lifelong Ringgold county resident. Until Fred's passing on March 11, 1954 thier years together were spent at their farm in Riley Township where many friends and family often enjoyed warm hospitality.

Having no children of her own, Elsie was known affectionately to her nieces and nephews as "Aunt Elsie". As these matured, married, and had children of their own, "Aunt Elsie" was always remembered by all with special affection and respect.

Other than her parents, Elsie is preceded in death by her brothers, Burr and Clyde CALDWELL, and a sister Bertha SHIELDS HOOVER. Surviving are a brother, Glen CALDWELL and his wife Velma, and a sister, Irma SMITH all of Mount Ayr; a sister-in-law, Fern (Mrs Clyde ) CALDWELL of Gresham, Oregon, and a brother-in-law Homer RICHARDSON of Lamoni, IA.

Elsie was laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery at Mount Ayr, leaving a long list of additional friends and neighbors whose lives she affectionately touched, warmed, and uplifted, who now with her family cherish a rich legacy of her Christian friendship.

Funeral services were held at 3 PM, Saturday, April 18, 1981 from Rhoades-Wilson Funeral Home in Mount Ayr. It was conducted by Rev. Norman NOBLE and Rev. Paul CARTER.

Music was by organist, Mike GREENE, and vocalist Mrs. Elbert STRANGE. Casketbearers were Bob YOUNG, Lyle CALDWELL, Jack CALDWELL, Victor SHIELDS, Charles SHIELDS and Robert RICHARDSON.

Submission by Mrs. Andy (Joyce) JOHNSTON, September 1, 2008