Willa Richeson, of Huntsville, and a long-time resident of Russellville, Ala., passed away April 29, 2013. Her services will be Sunday, May 5, at the First United Methodist Church in Russellville with visitation at 2 p.m. and the funeral service at 3 p.m.
A native of Franklin County, Ala., she graduated from Vina High School in 1946 and from Jefferson Hillman Hospital (later UAB) School of Nursing in 1949, where she was the vice president of her nursing school class. After 24 years of service, she retired from Helen Keller Memorial Hospital in 1987 to spend more time with her new grandsons.
Mrs. Richeson was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Russellville and served on many different committees. Prior to her move to Brookdale Retirement Community in Huntsville in 2002, the church named her an honorary member of the administrative board.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace Richeson; her son, Dan Richeson; her brothers, John W. McKinney Jr., and James W. McKinney; and her parents, John William McKinney Sr., and Cora Knight McKinney.
Survivors include her daughter, Nancy Richeson Siniard, Huntsville; grandsons, Bart Siniard, Daniel Richeson Jr., and Jack Richeson; daughter-in-law, Pat Jones Richeson, Birmingham; nephews, Jerry McKinney, John H. McKinney, Keith McKinney; and niece, Gail McKinney Black.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in her memory to the First United Methodist Church, 311 North Jackson Street, Russellville, AL 35653.
Pinkard Funeral Home, Russellville, is directing.
