Mother Suester Mae Richardson

Suester Mae Richardson was born July 25, 1928 to (the late) Elsie Blanding and Govan “Cherokee” McKnight in Summerton, South Carolina.  During her lifetime, she lived in South Carolina and New York City.  She departed this life on Good Friday, April 2, 2021, at the age of ninety-two.

Mother Richardson was raised in loving Christian homes with her mother Elsie, and Mother Edna Dixon Blanding’s family.  She attended schools in Clarendon County, South Carolina, and graduated from Scott Branch High School.  She was a member of Liberty Hill A.M.E. Church.  She spent wonderful summers with the Blanding and Watson families in Baltimore, Maryland.  She loved and cherished her family relationships.

On November 13, 1948 at the age of twenty, Suester and King Osteen Richardson were married in Summerton, South Carolina.  They migrated to New York City to join other Richardson siblings, first living in the Bronx for a short time; then Manhattan for about a year; and finally residing long-term in Brooklyn. 

She worked in a sweater factory for many years.  Mother Richardson’s first priorities were God and raising her three sons: Osteen, Kenneth, and Michael; and one daughter Sharon.  Mother Richardson emphasized Christian spirituality and academics.  She insisted that her children be raised in the church and graduate from college. 

Since 1961, Mother Richardson was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church of Brooklyn.  She served as the Financial Secretary of the Timothy White Founder’s Ministry; member of the Women’s Day Committee; member of the First Lady Guild Ministry; member of the Tree of Life Committee; and member of the Church’s Centennial Celebration Committee.  For sixty years, she enjoyed the wonderful worship services and warm fellowship with her fellow congregants.  She shared numerous warm long-term relationships with friends in the Church.  Her favorite Scripture was Psalms 27 {KJV}.

Mother Richardson was a strong-willed, determined and elegant woman … a “Proverbs 31 woman.”; a virtuous woman who loved God; who nurtured and clothed her children from the womb to adulthood.  She worked hard and gave that “hard-working value” to her children.  She insisted on good Christian manners and chivalry; also to dress well, have good sense and to carry oneself with dignity.  Throughout her life, Mother Richardson encouraged her children and other young people to be the best that they could be.  She brought joy, hope, and purpose into the lives of her family and friends.

Mother Richardson was preceded in death by her husband King O. Richardson; her daughter Sharon Anita Richardson; her son Michael L. Richardson; granddaughter Kéna O. Richardson; and two daughters-in-law: Barbara Richardson and Maria Richardson.  Those left to cherish her memory are her two sons: Osteen King Richardson and Rev. Kenneth O. Richardson (Donna); four granddaughters: Amber Richardson, Ariella Richardson, Kéara O. Richardson, and Kéa O. Richardson; three great-granddaughters: Melasia Wilson, Makiyah Wilson, Makayla Wilson; cousins: Ester Nelson (James) and family; Agnes Thomas; Edna Hattibell Perkins and family

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