Barbara Ann Richardson

Barbara Ann Richardson, 83 of Robinson, Texas passed peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday March 18, 2024.

Barbara was born December 7, 1940, in Groesbeck, Texas to Ernest and Bulah Solley of Groesbeck,    Texas.  She graduated from Marlin High School in 1959.  Barbara was the oldest of 4 children and she and her siblings survived the Waco Tornado by hiding under the bed as instructed by their father.   She would recall this story the rest of her life.    She met James H. Richardson of Thornton, Texas and they married in 1958 at the McClanahan Baptist Church in McClanahan, Texas.  The couple moved to Brownwood, Texas where they began their family and Barbara raised their two daughters while James began building a career.     A few years later the couple moved to Marlin where they lived and worked and made numerous lifelong friends and were very active in the community.   Barbara was best known for her knack as a designer and decorator and being able to put beautiful outfits together. She never did this professionally however she was highly sought out to help close friends and family and always praised for sharing these gifts.   Her girls lovingly said that their parents’ sideline hobby was being the original Chip and Joanna Gaines.  Flipping homes and properties paid for the numerous vacations to other states and countries as well as weekend toys such as campers, boats and numerous ATV’s that created many fond memories.   Barbara enjoyed gardening, canning and anything outdoors while helping James who was an avid rancher.  Family was important to her, and she loved doing things with her husband and kids. In 1986 they moved to Robinson, Texas and Barbara continued working in positions in charge of accounting.  Since her own children were grown, she and James decided to continue to fill the house with more by becoming licensed foster parents for the Waco Methodist Home. Over the years many children came to be adopted into the Richardson Extended family and brought lots of Joy to Barbara and James.    Barbara was an active member of Meadowbrook Baptist Church and loved lunches with “the girls” from Sunday School class and monthly games with the OWLS. After loosing her husband of 62 years these girls became a lifeline of healing to her and continued to be until her death.  

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Bulah, her sister Diane Solley Heatherington of Waco, and her granddaughter McKenzi Ryan of Robinson and her husband James Richardson of Robinson.  

She is survived by her brother Bill Solley of Massachusetts and wife Nancy, sister Janice Pruitt and husband Richard of Lorena, daughter Teri and Husband Tim Holtkamp of Robinson, daughter Kim and husband Phil Jones of Robinson, son Scott Richarson of Boulder, Colorado, granddaughter Brittney Fikes of Robinson and grandson Jackson Jones of Dallas.  Great grandchildren Lane, Cole and Case Fikes of Robinson and many nieces and nephews along with extended children Dianna Guerra and Alanya Steffy.

A visitation will be held Wednesday March 20 at Pecan Grove Funeral Home in Robinson, Texas from 3-5:00pm.   Her final resting place will be at the Thornton Cemetery in Thornton, Texas, with a private service for the family at a later date.  Honorary Pallbearers are nephews Kevin Hetherington, Jason Hetherington, Jimmie Helona-Hetherington, Shane Pruitt, Bill Solley Jr.  and close friend Jose Ballaza, Ron Miller and Ran Bates.