Bessie E Dooley Richardson

Mrs. Bessie Eudora Dooley Richardson, 108, died Friday, October 25, 2013 at Serenity Hospice in Sandy Springs, Georgia. A native of Maury County, Bessie was born on October 16, 1905 to Charlie Irving Dooley and Frances Luella Scott Dooley. One of ten children she was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers and sisters as well as a grandson, Joseph Graham Wildsmith. On December 24, 1923 she married Joel Davidson Richardson who preceded her in death on August 3, 1973. As a young woman she worked as a telephone operator. For many years she and Joe lived on a farm in the Bigbyville Community of Maury County where she enjoyed working in her flower and vegetable gardens. When they moved to Columbia she continued to have beautiful flowers. In 1995 Bessie moved to Newnan, Georgia where her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Al Kennedy, gave her loving care. At her death she was a member of the Newnan Church of Christ. For over fifty-five years she was a faithful member of the West 7th Street Church of Christ in Columbia. The ladies Bible class at both congregations was very important to her. In addition to her daughter and son-in-law Mrs. Richardson is survived by her daughter, Nancy Jo (Fred) Wildsmith of Smyrna; grandsons, Tom (Sally) Wildsmith of Damascus, Maryland, Andy (Karen) Kennedy of Newnan, GA; granddaughters, Alice (Craig) Jackson, Elizabeth Brownlee both of Newnan, GA, Amy (Randy) Nelson of Smyrna; great-grandchildren, Joseph Wildsmith, Mary Wildsmith both of Damascus, Kirk Nelson, Ryan Nelson both of Smyrna; Cole Kennedy, Oren Kennedy, Christopher Brownlee, Madison Brownlee, Jacob Brownlee all of Newnan, GA; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation with the family will be conducted at 12:00 noon Monday at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Polk Memorial Gardens with Craig Jackson officiating. Grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family suggests memorials to Church of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, 410 Allied Drive, Nashville, TN 37211.