Doris Delea Richardson

Doris Richardson, 89, of Unionville, Missouri, passed away at the Corydon Specialty Clinic in Corydon, Iowa, on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, following a brief illness.

Doris DeLea (Veach) Richardson was born in Davenport, Iowa, on April 27, 1933, the youngest of three children born to Hobert “Hobe” & Gladis (Vincent) Veach, who preceded her in death. The family moved frequently, and Doris attended numerous Iowa schools until the family moved to Unionville, Missouri, and she attended Unionville High School. It was there she met William “Bill” J. Richardson, a young Putnam County schoolteacher.  She and Bill were married on May 24, 1950, and lived on a farm east of Martinstown for four years.  They moved to a farm one and half miles west of Unionville in 1954.  There they raised their family of three boys and three girls.  Many, many trips were made to town on that country road, attending Putnam County activities and school functions.  She and Bill were always avid fans of Putnam County sports, and one year they were both selected as grand marshals of the Homecoming parade.

Doris attended Northeast Missouri State University after the family started growing up and then began a teaching career at Putnam County R-1 School.  She and Bill spent 13 years in Arizona after she retired and there Doris sang “big band” and “country” music.  Doris continued to sing in music jams all over the north Missouri and southern Iowa area.  Bill and Doris purchased a home in Unionville in 2003 large enough to entertain bunches of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  It was always full of lively fun, especially during the holidays and other special occasions.  Doris loved to play cards at the Putnam County Senior Center and with her special Sunday afternoon group.  Doris was always full of life and energy and was fun to be around.

Doris is survived by three sons, Fred (Marsha) Richardson and Bob Richardson, both of Unionville, and Kirk (Lynn) Richardson, of St. Charles, Missouri; and three daughters, Billie (John A.) Ryals of Unionville, Sara (Danny) Veirs of Spring Hill, Tennessee, and Cathy (David) Spotts of Columbia, Missouri. Her 18 grandchildren are Brandi Fowler, John T. Ryals, Brooke Ryals, B. J. Richardson, Brittany Shaffer, Brenda Fowler, Reggie Brundage, Garret Richardson, Job Richardson, Kara Gatto, Jordan Veirs, Ethan Veirs, Kris Spotts, Skylar Spotts, Gus Richardson, Swayde Richardson, Jackie Heesch, and Sierra Green.  She is also survived by 24 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Bill, who passed away September 30, 2015, as well as a brother, Fred “Brownie” Veach, and a sister Helen Huettman.

Funeral services for Doris will be at Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home on Sunday, May 22, at 1:30 pm.  Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Saturday, May 21.  Interment will be at the Martinstown Cemetery.

Memorials may be made payable to the Martinstown Cemetery or the Martinstown School and entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27 ^th St., Unionville, MO  63565.