Mary Louise (Abney) Richardson — Benton, IL

Mary Louise (Abney) Richardson, 93, of Benton, IL passed away at 4:44 p.m., on Monday, September 17, 2018, at Herrin Hospital.

She was born on December 24, 1924, to Alonzo and Nellie (Dooley) Abney in Harrisburg, IL, and raised in Saline County, IL.  Louise was a homemaker.  On April 18, 1945, she married Forrest B. Richardson in Crown Point, Indiana.

Louise was the proud wife of a minister, the Rev. Forrest B. Richardson.  Throughout her life she was involved with helping her husband in his ministry by assisting with church music, a Sunday school teacher, participating in the ladies ministries and cleaned many churches.  She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother.  She enjoyed spending time with her family, fishing, socializing at Heritage Woods of Benton, playing the piano for friends, working word searches, solving puzzles and spoiling her grandchildren.

She is survived by seven children, Forrest W. Richardson and wife Diane of Marion, IL., Katie Richardson-Roach and husband Artie of Logan, IL., Burt Richardson and wife Jill of Herrin, IL., Jim Richardson of West Frankfort, IL., John Richardson of Carrier Mills, IL., Nell Richardson-Jones and husband John of Christopher, IL., Jeanne Richardson-Crnokrak and husband Bill of West Frankfort, IL; a daughter-in-law, Lyn Richardson of West Frankfort, IL; 15 grandchildren, Aaron Richardson, Joel Richardson, Lori Hammers, Shawn Roach, Temetra Gibson, Bob Richardson, Amy Richardson-Harkins, Julie Richardson-Nolen, Billy Richardson, Kari Jones-Ramsey, Tim Jones, Brandon Jones, Jordan Murphy, Alex Crnokrak and Anna Crnokrak; 23 great grandchildren, Sarah Richardson, Kaydee Richardson, Cody Hammers, Reider Hammers, Chloe Roach, Mikaylan Roach, Quinn Gibson, Bailey Richardson, Ella Richardson, Kaitlyn Wilburn, Oliva Harkins, Sophie Harkins, Ava Harkins, Isabelle Nolen, Amelia Nolen,  Jason Richardson, Nathan Ramsey, Chuck Jones, Paul Jones, Teddy Jones, Sam Jones, Remy Murphy and Jase Murphy;  one great-great grandchild, Beckham Wilburn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alonzo and Nellie (Dooley) Abney; husband of 59 years, Forrest B. Richardson; a son, Marty Richardson; a daughter-in-law, Judy Stump-Richardson; five brothers and four sisters.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 20, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 21, 2018, 10:30 a.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Burial will follow services at Logan Church of God Cemetery, Logan, IL.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.