Vivian Richardson

Mrs. Vivian Ann Keele Richardson, 100, passed away Fri., April 14, 2023, at Brandon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Brandon, Miss. Born in Chicago, Ill., Vivian was the only child of Mr. Martin Howell Keele and Selma Loraine Smith Keele. Although she did not have any natural siblings, she enjoyed spending her summers in Kentucky at the farm with her first cousin Mary Beth Whitfield Burns – the sister she always wanted.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Col. Howard T. Richardson (USAF retired) and her son Alan Blake Richardson.

She is survived by two children Brigadier General William Keele (Jane) Richardson and Janet Lynn Richardson Robertson. She is also survived by her first cousin Mary Beth Burns and her grandchildren Keele Richardson, Chris (Bobbie) Richardson, Martin Richardson, Susan (Todd) Prater and Amy Robertson. Great-grandchildren include Caiden, Chance, Michael Paul, Paula Jean, Vivian Ruth, Kline, JD and Jenny Keele. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Vivian is a graduate of Louisville High School (Diploma) where she was a drum major and later attended Mississippi State College where she studied business and was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. While at Mississippi State, she was a member of the YWCA, a vocalist in The Collegians and The Southernaires college dance orchestras and selected a Favorite as a sophomore in 1942.

While being a military spouse with her husband in the Air Force for more than 30 years, she was stationed in Germany (multiple tours), Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, and Washington D.C./Virginia. Vivian was always active in the military community, serving in the Military Officers’ Wives Club.

While Howard was serving in World War II, she could be seen performing as a soloist with the orchestra at The Roof at The Hotel Heidelberg in downtown Jackson, Miss. While stationed in Florida, she was also a volunteer for the American Red Cross as a nurse’s aide.

She was a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church, particularly loving her days with her Joy/Ruth Sunday School class. She also participated with her spouse in the Military Order of the World Wars, The Retired Officers Association, the 385th Bomb Group and 8th Air Force Historical Society.

Always a spitfire, she was the epitome of the phrase “Dynamite comes in small packages.” But there was nothing she wouldn’t do for her friends and family. She enjoyed square dancing and ballroom dancing; cooking and baking, especially her infamous cheesecake and cheese straws; traveling adventures by motorhome and cruise ship; knitting and crocheting; and hand painting and beading her very own Faberge-like eggs. She could always be seen checking on her hummingbirds and fig trees through her windows, often while sipping on her morning Coca-Cola. And yes, her evening Coca-Cola, too!

Visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thur., April 20, at Parkway Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland, MS 39157. The service will be held at Noon, with a private interment for family to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Broadmoor Baptist Church (1531 Highland Colony Pkwy, Madison, MS) toward their Senior Meals program.