Margie Alice (Spence) Richardson, age 97, died on Friday, December 13, enfolded by the love of her family and friends. Funeral services will be held at Breshears Memorial Chapel in Brunswick, MO on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. Mark Schuchmann will officiate the service. A visitation will precede the service from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. The burial will be in Elliott Grove Cemetery in Brunswick.

Margie was born October 8, 1927, in Brunswick, Mo., to Romie and Mary Lewis Spence. She was the second of three daughters. Growing up during the Depression, Margie, along with her parents and her sisters, Mary Opal and Joan, lived in several Missouri towns while her father worked as a restaurant cook. But her ties were always to Brunswick where generations of her ancestors had lived. Her family moved back to Brunswick permanently while Margie was in junior high. When Margie was 14, she met Kenny Richardson, who was 16. For Kenny it was love at first sight, and he told his friends that he would marry Margie. It took him a few years to persuade Margie, but they married in1946 soon after Kenny returned from serving in Europe during World War II. Theirs was a storybook romance. They were married for almost 70 years, sweethearts and best friends, until Kenny’s death in 2015.

Margie’s first priority was her family. Even after her adult children had their own homes, Margie regularly invited everyone for Sunday dinners (always feasts), and she prepared favorite foods for 10 to 20 immediate family members. For Thanksgiving, she and Kenny hosted the extended family (often 60+ relatives), and Margie and her two sisters cooked all the food. Margie’s children and grandchildren also celebrated Christmas at their house, a joyous event rich with traditions that included sleepovers on Christmas Eve.

Margie and Kenny had 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. While the grandkids were growing up, they often spent weekends and long holidays with Granny and Papa, where they were all spoiled shamelessly.

In addition to raising four children and being the world’s greatest mother and granny, Margie also devoted herself to improving the lives of others. Her community service included years as a 4-H leader, as a PTA officer, as a room mother, as an election judge, and as a Silver Haired Legislator. Whenever she saw a project that needed to be done, she simply did it. When Brunswick needed a new school, Margie led the successful campaign to convince voters to approve the bond issue. When Brunswick needed an outdoor basketball court where kids could play, Margie solicited donations so it could be built. When Brunswick’s Sesquicentennial neared, Margie agreed to chair the Sesquicentennial Committee, which culminated in a fabulous celebration and a parade that featured a special appearance by the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales. When Margie knew that people would enjoy seeing the kind of steamboat that once docked regularly in Brunswick, she persuaded the captain of the Missouri River Queen to stop in Brunswick on his way from Kansas City to St. Louis. The captain then provided steamboat cruises for everyone who wanted to join the festivities. Of course, Margie arranged to have all the schoolchildren participate.

Margie was an outstanding saleswoman. For many years she sold Capper publications to customers who lived in counties near Brunswick, an arrangement that allowed her to drive to their houses during the day and still be home in time to cook supper. Her customers inevitably became close friends and looked forward to Margie’s visits. In fact, they often called her to ask when she would be returning to renew their magazine subscriptions.

Margie loved learning. Right after high school, she taught for one year at a one-room country school. Although she regretted that she did not have the opportunity to earn a college degree, she successfully engaged in a life-long process of self-education. Her special interests were history and antiques. In 1973, she and Kenny bought Locust Hill, a house built in 1836 and listed on the National Historic Register. Margie was an avid antique collector who loved old hats and accumulated more than 200. She often shared her passion and expertise by presenting community programs about the history of hats. Many people came to know her as the “Hat Lady.”

Margie received numerous accolades and honors, including Missouri Mother of the Year, but she was never interested in public recognition. She much preferred working behind the scenes to get important things done.

She was amazing.

Margie is survived by three of her four children: Melody Daily (Bill), Glasgow, Mo.; Romie Richardson (Michelle), San Antonio, Texas; and Scarlett Richardson (Chris Shortal), Columbia, Mo. She was preceded in death by her son Johnny Richardson (Marsha), Jefferson City, Mo.

She is survived by 10 grandchildren: Shannon Daily, Erin Daily, Claudia Richardson Wickham, Camden Daily, Kylene Richardson, Megan Richardson Geissinger, Lyndsy Richardson, Jeremy Richardson, Taylor Shortal, and Maggie Richardson; by 17 great-grandchildren: Ezekiel Stokes, Tanner Richardson, Cecilia Stokes, Reese Wickham, Kaiden Geissinger, Weston Wickham, Xavier Stokes, Declan Melton, Britton Geissinger, Anelise LeMieux, Asher Melton, Teagan Clapp, Henley Clapp, Lily Richardson, Mia Richardson, Soren Daily, and Knox Melton.

She is survived by her baby sister and dear friend, Joan Greenwood. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Margie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Kenny; by her parents, Romie and Mary Spence; by her sister, Mary Opal Spence Richardson; by her brothers-in-law, J.P. Richardson and Bob Greenwood; and by her nephew, Jerry Don Richardson.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Arp, Scott Richardson, Tom Rosser, Les Sears, Paul Vossler, and Gary Woolston. Honorary pallbearers will be Blake Dankert, Jesus Gonzalez, Gene Gooch, Steve Harmon, Gene Morrow, and Wendell Turner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Shriners Children’s Hospital in St. Louis; or the LSF Kenneth and Margie Richardson Prize in Education Law at Mizzou Law School.