Celebration of Life

Family & Background

Pastor Willie Louise Richardson was born July 15, 1949 in Tuskegee, Alabama. She is the eldest of 4 children born to her parents, the late Willie L. Mitchell and Hattie L. Mitchell Davis.  She is the mother of 3 daughters and 2 sons, grandmother of 15, and great grandmother of 7.

While attending college, Louise met married Larry C. Hightower, whom she would wed in March of 1969.  From this union they had 3 lovely daughters Jacquelyn, LaTonya, and LaMillia.

In January 1988, Louise married her "Best Friend", Abe Richardson, Jr. from this union she gained 2 sons; Andre and Alan.

Pastor Richardson led a blessed life; full of favor, accomplishments, and hundreds of awards and recognitions, including winning 1st  place  three  consecutive years  in the W.O.K.S. Radio Sweepstakes Gospel Spectacular as  member  of  the youth  gospel  group  the "Temperettes";  recording an original composition, "He's Done So Much For Me" at the age of 15; Singing on the  W.O.K.S. Gospel Hour each Sunday Morning;  and winning the Best Female Vocalist Award on TV 3's "Song In My Heart " in 1975.  She loved singing, playing the piano, playing board games and traveling.

Church Affiliations

Louise grew up as a member of Wynnton Road Church of God In Christ, in Columbus, GA. She became the church musician at the age of 7 and received the Holy Ghost as age 10. At age 13 Louise and 3 other young ladies from her church formed a gospel group The Temperettes.  The group won 1st Place in the city-wide talent show for 3 straight years, earning them a radio broadcast on the local radio station and a recording session.  The group released a 45 that had a song written by Louise on one side and a song written by her mother, on the other. Other church affiliations and positions include: State Sunday School Musician for Northern Georgia Jurisdiction (Bishop J. Howard Dell and Supt. H. G. Ellison); Church Minister of Music in Georgia, Texas, and California.

During her tenure at Zion Tabernacle First Born Church: Church Missionary, Asst. Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Church Secretary, Eufaula District Minister of Music, Minister of Music, Youth Director, Appointed by Senior Bishop Albert Hill of the First Born  Church  to  serve  as  Music  Coordinator  for  Chapel  Services  at  the  National  Headquarters Seminary  School  during  summer  sessions;  and  Mid-South  Diocese  Hospitality  Director.    Upon moving to Champaign, IL in 1989 and uniting with Greater Holy Temple in Urbana, IL, she served on the Minister's Board, Minister of Music, Asst. Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Church  Secretary,  and  was  chosen  "Woman  of  the  Year"  in 1990  by  Apostle Larry C. Simmons.

On November 3, 1991 Pastor Louise along with her husband, then Elder Abe Richardson, and their daughter, LaMillia founded Living Faith Ministries. Together they served in ministerial fellowships with Kenneth Copeland Ministries; PHIPA (Potter's House International Pastors Association) with Bishop T. D. Jakes; MICA (Monument International Churches Association) with Dr. (Apostle) Richard D. Henton; and also formerly served as Illinois State Representative for Azusa Fellowship.

After the passing of Bishop Richardson, Pastor Richardson joined Stone Creek Church of Urbana, IL. At Stone Creek Church "Sister Louise" as she was so affectionately known, was a Mother of the Church and a Recognized Pastor of the church.  Sister Louise actively participated in several ministries, including the Prayer Team and Prayer Ministry where she would often intercede on the alter for hours; the Senior Saints Ministry where she routinely filled in during the absence of the Senior Saints Pastor; and the Food Pantry where she would personally deliver food to members of the community.  Additionally, she served as a counselor; participated in First Impressions, assisting in welcoming visitors to the church; and conducted nursing home visits, often playing and singing to the residents. One of Sister Louise's passionate activities was serving and ministering to the other pastors of the church.  Often serving as a mentor to other pastors, it was not uncommon for Pastor Louise to pray for the ministers of the church before their sermons or loan them various accoutrements for religious services and ceremonies. Of course as one would expect, she could be counted on to spoil the pastors' children; always ready to give them a warm smile and a peppermint candy.

Education

In 1965 Louise was 1 of the first 6 African American students to attend and later one of the first 3 to graduate from the prestigious and the formerly segregated Columbus High School.  While in high school Louise also became the first African American to work at H.L. Green department store.

After graduating high school in 1967, Louise left home to attend the Church of God in Christ's Saints Junior College in Lexington, MS where she was crowned Homecoming Queen.  In addition to Saints Junior College, Louise also attended First Born Seminary and Training School in Waycross, GA; Columbus Technical Institute; Parkland College where she earned Dean's List (all A's) and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. In May of 1998 Louise received her Doctoral Degree in Pastoral Administration during a special graduation ceremony at the University of Illinois.

Career

Most recently Pastor Richardson worked as Special Education Instructor and Secretary at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign. Previously she worked as a Secretary to the Transportation Director of the Columbus, GA; Secretary to the Deputy Marshal; Secretary to Georgia State Representative and Director of the Metro Columbus Urban League.

Community Service

Jesus Is the Way Prison Ministry; Member, Board of Directors for Word of Christ Ministries and

Abounding Love Ministries; Certified Clergywoman with Illinois State Department of Corrections; Volunteer Chaplain for Champaign County Jail and local hospitals; member of the National Day of Prayer Committee, the Pastor's Prayer Network, ministered on W.E.F.T. Radio "Breaking of the Bread," member of U of I Religious Leaders Association; Religious Leaders Concerned Care; Matthew House 18 Board Member;  Empty Tomb; Secretary on the Board of Directors for True Vine Recreation Center; Song Leader for Champaign County Women's Aglow; Empty Tomb,  and various other community organizations.

She Leaves to Cherish Her Memory

She is survived by her sister, Gwendolyn (Gregory) Johnson; brother, Willie Lee (Marie) Mitchell; God-sister, Jeanesta Webb; daughters, Jacqueline Peebles (Tony); LaTonya Hightower-Welch; LaMillia (Eric) Grayson; sons Andre Richardson and Alan Richardson; 15 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren; 8 nieces, 1 nephew, a host of God-sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bishop Abe Richardson, Mother, Hattie L. Davis, Father, Willie Lee Mitchell, and Sister, Wendolyn Mitchell Smith,