Cleva "Jean" J. Richardson

Cleva "Jean" J. Richardson, 86, of Oswego, unexpectedly passed away Sunday, March 7, 2021, at her home.

Cleva Jean Willis was born on January 13, 1935, to Lewis R. and Maxine V. (Kirk) Willis in Oswego. As a young girl, she grew up in rural Oswego and Chetopa areas, attending Stice school and graduating from Oswego High School in 1953. A farm girl at heart, Jean enjoyed showing sheep and chickens at the county and state fairs.

In 1952, she began working for Dr. Fordyce until he passed away. She then worked at the Labette County Courthouse for a number of years. For 13 years, she sold Avon house to house. She also taught sewing and cooking for a number of years to the 4-H youth. For many years, Jean helped her husband, Dannie, milk and show their registered Jersey cows, Richland Jerseys, across the Midwest. Even after Dannie's passing in 2006, Jean continued to milk the Jersey cows and supply fresh milk to several customers, who became friends, until 2009.

Besides her family and the Jersey cows, Jean had an uncompromising devotion to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A true believer and follower since 1949, she had been an active member of the Faith Baptist Church in Chetopa for the last 30 years. She was very involved in the church bazaars and other activities for many years. She was also an avid reader and loved reading newspapers.

In 1953, Jean met her husband, Daniel Lee "Dannie" Richardson at the Labette County Fair. The couple was united in marriage on March 10, 1957. He preceded her in death on August 1, 2006.

Survivors include:

Two children – RoAnn Marlene Richardson, of the home

Donald Ray Richardson and his wife, Regina, of Oswego, Kansas

Three grandchildren – Linseh Johnson and her husband, Nic, of Oswego, Kansas

Aaron Walker of Oswego, Kansas

Ashley Snider and her husband, Nate, of Mound Valley, Kansas

Seven great-grandchildren – Braydon, Andelyn, Payton, Hallie, Lander, Evelyn and Bentley

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dannie; and one sister, Mary Lou Lepard Taylor.

The funeral service will be at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa with Pastor Les Green presiding. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until the service begins. Burial will take place at a later date at Pleasant Valley Cemetery. The funeral service can be viewed live on the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home Facebook page.   For all events, social distancing guidelines will be followed, including the requirement of face masks.

Memorials are suggested to Faith Victory Baptist Church or the Labette Health Foundation. These may be left at or mailed to the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.