Shirley Jean Richardson passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 17th with her children by her side. The loss of Shirley brings heartbreak to those that love her, but also joy, knowing that she is now free from the pain and physical challenges she long endured. Shirley was always a big personality, the one everyone loved to talk to, and talk about! She truly made fiends wherever she went, and no one ever forgot Shirley once they met her. She leaves behind a legacy of good humor, laughter, and above all, love for her family and friends. Shirley was born March 8, 1935 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Walter Edward Callahan and Janeva Mabel Sutherland Callahan. Shirley was raised by her Mother and loving stepfather Walter Murray Johnson II. Shirley married Rex Richardson in 1957. She was a loving mother to James, Janice and Sue, and as an army wife, Shirley raised her children while moving many times around the U.S. and abroad. Eventually the family settled in the Fort Worth area, where Shirley lived until her death. Shirley was a gifted artist, and in her early years created department store window displays, then began a career as an artist for Hallmark Cards at their Kansas City headquarters. Shirley was the definition of a "people person". One of her favorite pastimes for many years was her volunteer work in the gift shop at John Peter Smith Hospital. She loved talking to the doctors, patients and family members who came through, and she no doubt cheered many heavy hearts during her time at the hospital. Shirley is survived her brother Walter "Bud" Johnson (wife Mary Ann), her son James Richardson (wife Rebecca), her daughters Janice Boyd, and Susan Richardson (wife Terri). Shirley was a loving grandmother to Lindsey Rutherford (husband Trey), Megan Smith (husband Tabor), and Jacob Holzknecht (wife Karen), and great-grandmother to Jack Rutherford and Boston Smith. She also leaves behind beloved nieces Jody Atkinson and Janene Radke (husband Mike), and nephews Steven Atkinson and Scott Johnson. Shirley is pre-deceased by her parents, former husband Rex Richardson, sister Barbara Atkinson and son-in-law Daniel Boyd. Services will be on Saturday, January 21st at 2 p.m. at Olive Place Baptist Church, 3283 Olive Place, Fort Worth, TX, 76116. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Humane Society of North Texas, or Meals on Wheels.
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