Reube Gene Richardson

Reube Gene Shaw Richardson died peacefully at home Tuesday after a lengthy illness.She was born in Henderson on November 17, 1923 to Dr. R.F. and Jessie Lewis Shaw. Her father was one of the founders of Henderson Memorial Hospital.A graduate of Henderson High School, Gene attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, graduating with a degree in accounting. During her years at Arkansas, she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, which she served as president. While at the University, she also received the honor of being named Homecoming Queen. Gene married Charles H. Richardson on November 13, 1944, and they spent their first year of marriage in the Army Air Corps. After Charlie completed his degree in engineering at LSU, the Richardson's made their home in many places as Charlie pursued his career with Gulf Oil. Gene and Charlie moved back to Henderson in 1952 and Gene kept the books for the family for many years. In addition to raising her two children, Charles and Elizabeth, she was an active civic and church volunteer. Gene was instrumental in starting the Henderson Civic Theater by donating the building and in her continued support of this organization. She was a long time member of both the Varied Arts and the Renaissance Clubs. She had many local philanthropic interests, which included Henderson Memorial Hospital. She and her husband took great joy in establishing the Charles F. Richardson III International Studies Scholarship Program at Austin College in Sherman, Texas as well as providing academic scholarships for graduates of Henderson High School. Gene was a dedicated member of St. Matthews Episcopal Church, which she served in many capacities, including donating the organ and serving on the Altar Guild. Gene loved her family and her friends. She enjoyed travel, opera, theater, ballroom dancing, and the horse races. She was a wonderful hostess who excelled at cooking and entertaining. The Richardsons' homes in Henderson as well as in Breckenridge, Colorado and later Steamboat Springs, Colorado were known for their hospitality. Gene was also an avid bridge and Mah Jongg player for many years. She suffered from Parkinson's Disease, and was blessed to have a loving team of care-givers, in particular long time friends Vera Johnson and Rick Wilson as well as Dorothy March, Lily Cage and Nancy Smith, who enabled her to remain in the home that she and Charlie built and loved. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 214 College Ave., Henderson. Interment will be immediately afterward at Lakewood Memorial Park in Henderson, TX with Rev. Patsy Barham of St. Matthews presiding at both. Visitation will be at Crawford - A. Crim Funeral Home Friday from 6-8 p.m. Gene was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. R.F. Shaw; son, Charles F. Richardson; and sister, Marilyn Shaw Lane; son-in-law, Richard D. Dismukes; mother-in-law, Marjorie H. Richardson. She is survived and will be sorely missed by her husband Charlie, her daughter Elizabeth Richardson Dismukes of Henderson; three grandchildren, Rebecca Dismukes of Denton, Robert and Julie Dismukes, Regan Dismukes of Henderson and two great-grandchildren Katherin Dismukes and Robert Dismukes, Jr.; Brothers and sisters-in-law, Janet and Lou Dixon, Margie Montgomery, Parry and Betty Richardson of Baton Rouge, LA and numerous Richardson family nieces and nephews. On the Shaw family side, nephew and nieces Monty and Tes Bonner of Henderson, Jeanne and David Seldner of Leawood, KS, Stayton and Catherine Bonner of Brooklyn, NY, Walter Bonner of St. Augustine, FL, and John Bonner of Los Angeles, CA, Peter F. Alfaro of Cambridge, MA; Katherine Alfaro of Manassas Park, VA and Jessica Alfaro of Leawood, KS. Pallbearers will be Jim Kangerga, Robert Dismukes, Rick Wilson, Stayton Bonner, David Alford, Parry "Bo" Richardson. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 214 College Ave., Henderson, TX 75653 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Reube Gene Richardson

November 17, 1923 - August 30, 2011