Elsa Leah Lewis Richardson, 93, of Sylvatus, passed away Sunday, July 2, 2006 in Galax. Elsa was born August 12, 1912, in Superior, WV to George Washington Lewis and Laura Quesenberry Lewis. She was preceded in death by her husband, Aaron Fornie Richardson; her parents; son, Aaron Bruce Richardson; daughter-in-law, Winifred May Holst Richardson; grandson, Mark Wayne Richardson; brother, Mavan Hall Lewis; and sisters, Mable Rose Lewis, Georgia Opal Lewis Quesenberry, Earlyne Lewis Reece, Mary Velma Lewis Wilburn, and Emma Ruth Lewis Webb Shaffner. Mrs. Richardson is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Floyd Wayne (Pete) and Juanita Richardson of Pulaski; daughter-in-law, Susan L. Garard of Libertyville, IL; three grandchildren and spouses, Jodi Ann Richardson Comstock and husband, Charles Dale Comstock of Lexington, OH, Kenneth Bruce Richardson and wife, Gaye Noelene Noble Richardson of Columbus, OH, and Jerri Lynn Richardson and husband, Daniel Lloyd Webber of Joplin, MO; six great grandchildren and spouse, Matthew Charles Comstock of Lexington, KY, Bryan Gabriel Comstock and wife, Krista of Mason, OH, Fayth Joy Richardson and Grant Bruce Richardson, both of Columbus, OH and Aaron Reed Webber and Austin Tyler Webber, both of Joplin, MO. She is also survived by her brothers and sister-in-law, Paul Jackson Lewis of Sylvatus and Fred Galan and Rita Floyd Lewis of Hampton, as well as many nieces, nephews, dear friends and neighbors. Mrs. Richardson retired after 25 years in the Sears Roebuck order office in Pulaski. She also served as an Officer of Elections for Carroll County. She was a member of Captain Hamilton Wade Chapter 949, United Daughters of the Confederacy and Real Granddaughters Club, having received her 50 year membership and gold pin award in 2003. Mrs. Richardson was also active in supporting the Sylvatus Ruritan Club. As a member of a quilting group, she helped provide handmade quilts each year for events to support Ruritan Club neighborhood ministries. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel in Hillsville, Va. with the Rev. David Bays officiating. Interment will follow at the Thornspring United Methodist Church Cemetery in Pulaski, Va. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Richardson requested memorials be made to First Baptist Church, 325 Randolph Avenue, Pulaski, VA 24301 where she had been a member over 50 years. The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff and caregivers of Beverly Healthcare Blue Ridge of Galax, VA and to Drs. Pryor and Goad for their care and concern for Mrs. Richardson.

ROANOKE TIMES, July 4, 2006