Leta Lavonne Richardson's Obituary
Leta Lavonne Richardson passed away September 19, 2022. Leta was born April 25, 1947, in Corydon, IAto Wanetta Fern Richardson (Everman) and John William Richardson, Jr. She was the sixth of their eightchildren and the first girl. She married David Williams on June 13, 1971, and they had two children, Toddand Tessa.
Leta graduated from Cambria-Corydon High School in 1965 and then attended beauty school where shebecame a licensed cosmetologist. After a brief time in Omaha studying and working in a salon shereturned to Corydon and eventually ran her own salon on the west side of the square. After severalyears of doing hair at the salon, Leta sold the business and became a stay-at-home wife and thenmother. With the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom, she was able to volunteer a lot of time at theschool for her kids' classes and in the office. She was awarded the Iowa Governor's Volunteer ServiceAward by Governor Branstad in 1996 for her service to the school.
Over the years, Leta enjoyed many arts and crafts type hobbies. She was an excellent seamstress andoften made or repaired clothing items and home décor for family and friends. She even made sleepingbags for all of Tessa's Barbie dolls and body bags for all of Todd's G.I. Joe's when the kids were little. Sheknitted, crocheted, cross-stitched, and did many other unique and fun activities.
She was also well-known as being the "baby whisperer" and the "favorite aunt" to many. Any fussy babywould promptly settle and fall asleep when Leta held them and rocked them. Sometimes she was theonly one who could make that happen. She was always ready to play games or watch TV with or give funsnacks to the nieces and nephews.
In 2016 she became Grandma to a grandson, Carson (Tessa) and the following year, granddaughter Ava(Tessa) joined the family. She loved getting to spend time with them and learn about the things theywere doing and also spending time watching cartoons, coloring with them, and giving them snacks.
Leta was preceded in death by her parents, John William Jr and Fern Richardson and four brothers:Larry, Jim, Kendall, and Randy Richardson; and sister-in-law Arlene (Kendall). She is survived by herchildren Todd Williams and Tessa Yawn (Kevin) and her grandchildren, Carson and Ava Yawn, all ofAltoona. Also, her brothers John David Richardson (June) of Chariton and Dennis Richardson (Terri) ofAltoona; her only sister, Rita Preston (Doug) of Gardner KS; and three sisters-in-law, Carolyn (Larry),Trula (Jim), and Valerie (Randy) Richardson. Finally, those many nieces and nephews who were sospecial and important to her: Randy Ray, Vicki, Doni, Melissa, Suzanna, Elizabeth, Melissa, Judy, Tristan,Noah, Peyton, Chad, Dakota, Kevin, Laurie, and John.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers or plants, donations to the family to help cover the costs of herfuneral and burial wishes.
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