Irva Richardson, 89

May 27, 1936 – February 26, 2025

“She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.” Proverbs 3:15

On Wednesday February 26, 2025, our mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Irva Richardson shed her earthly pain and entered into her heavenly home, surrounded by all her loved ones.

Funeral services honoring Ms. Irva’s life will be at 2 PM Sunday March 2, 2025, in the heritage chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home with Bro. Ronnie Barefield officiating, and Larry Meeks sharing the obituary. Visitation will be from 11 AM until time of service on Sunday at Ripley Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Golden Hill Cemetery.

Born May 27, 1936 in Ripley, MS, Ms. Irva was the daughter of the late Lonnie and Ira Belle Riley Richardson. She received her education from Centre School and was employed with Master Bilt Corporation for twenty years before her retirement. She was a faithful member of Unity Baptist Church, where the love for Jesus was first and foremost in her life and she prioritized reading her bible daily, praying over her family continually, and showing her bright Christian light to all around her, inspiring others to live a life faithful to Him.

Ms. Irva’s home served as a community gathering space year-round, while she loved tending to her flower garden, cheering on the Atlanta Braves, and filling her home with her family, especially her grandchildren to which they brought her so much joy. The doors were never locked, and everyone had an open invitation to stop by anytime.  Her love of life was evident in the way she lived. Even just sitting on the porch turned into a fun time with family, friends, and of course food. If you were lucky, Ms. Irva would whip up one of her delicious southern dishes as her banana pudding, and deviled eggs, were just a few fan favorites.

For us, she really is that pebble thrown into a lake as the lives she touched act as ripples that extend far beyond just us. She continued to support her family and extend a helping hand to anyone in need. When sick or in pain, she never faltered in caring for her loved ones more than she did for herself. Although we feel great heartache, we look forward to great reunion in heaven, seeing Ms. Irva again.

Those left to cherish her memories include three daughters, Shelia Kern, Bonnie Hodge (Clint Odum), and Jaclyn Meeks (Neal), eight grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and sixteen great great grandchildren, along with a large church family, loving family, and friends.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by two daughters, Deborah Brady and Beverly Jackson, five sisters, Bernice Hurt, Elois Hurt, Beatrice “Bea” Koller, Colleen Richardson, and Irma Richardson, and five brothers, David Richardson, Robert Richardson, Randle Richardson, A. L. Richardson Jr., and Lee Richardson.

Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Ms. Irva’s family.

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.