Mattie M. Richardson passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born the first of eighteen children to Cornelius Wright Sr. and Callie Langford Wright on February 23, 1926. She graduated from A.H. Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama, and continued her studies at Booker T. Washington Business College, where she received her degree in clerical and administrative studies. Upon graduation, she interned at Tuskegee Institute as a junior secretary for George Washington Carver. This is where she met her college sweetheart and life partner, Johnnie F. Richardson. They were joined in holy matrimony on June 20, 1948, in Ensley, Alabama. To this union, they had a total of five children.

In 1952, the family moved from Dothan, Alabama, to Akron, Ohio. Mattie was a stay-at-home mom who was very active in school PTA programs. She was a devoted and dedicated member of Saint Paul A.M.E. Church, where she served for over sixty years, most notably as the church secretary. In the mid-60s, she became employed at Children’s Hospital as a receptionist. She later became a teachers aide at Glover and Crouse elementary schools. Mattie completed her employment and retired from the Akron Public School System at Highland Park Elementary as a librarian in July 1994. Throughout her 100 years of life, Mattie served and influenced many people of all ages.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cornelius Wright Sr. and Callie Langford Wright; her husband, Johnnie F. Richardson; her son, James Earl (Pam) Richardson; her granddaughter, Chancia M. Cruz; her brothers, Cornelius (Queen) Wright Jr., Caesar (Carrilla) Wright, Leo (Mildred) Wright, and James (Ernestine) Wright; and her sisters, Elizabeth Lacy, Edna Mae Wright, Lois Ann Foster, and Doris L. Roberts.

She leaves to mourn her passing: her sons, Alan Richardson and Keith (Leona) Richardson; daughters, Cathy (Jeff) Thomas and Regina (Alfred) Johnson; grandchildren, Tawana M. Richardson, Lashawna (Marquis) Grimes, Marcus (Monique) Johnson, Keith Richardson Jr., and Maranda (Patrick) Jackson; and sisters, Cora Little, Harriet Hare, Sandra Bumpers, and Altherstine (Tina) Brown.

She also leaves her sister-in-law, Florine G. Richardson; brothers-in-law, Sherman Roberts and Leonard M. Foster; her memory is further cherished by her great-grandchildren: Efrem (Lauren) Richardson, Porsha Chancellor, Rodney Shufford, Sydny Shufford, Julian Grimes, Makenzie Johnson, Laniyah Gay, Logan Gay, Peyton Johnson, and Kendrick Jackson; great-great- grandchildren: Liam Richardson, Jace Richardson, Zoe Richardson, and Ava Bross; special nieces: Lynette Pierce, Leslie Leach, Colette Yanchak, Cynthia Lee, Cassandra Roberts, and Miriam (Renny) Richardson-Smith; special nephew, Ronald (Shaun) Wright Sr.; and special friends, Helen Brown and Danella Bryant; and a host of family and friends.