Rev. Gloria Richardson

Rev. Gloria Mae Richardson passed away surrounded by family on Monday, September 1, 2024, at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital, AccentCare Hospice Center in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 87. She was born March 12, 1937, in Hickman, Kentucky to Odis and Ella Richardson.

Gloria graduated from cosmetology school in Humboldt, Tennessee. After graduation she met and married her husband, Cecil L. Richardson and returned to Hickman, Kentucky. After her sisters graduated from high school, the family moved to Michigan. From Michigan, Gloria moved her family to Des Moines, Iowa to be closer to her Aunt Mary Jane.

A mother of five children, Gloria worked as a chef for 35 years at Riccelli’s Restaurant and Holiday Inn to support her family. In 1990, Rev. Gloria received her calling of becoming a pastor and laid the foundation of Faith Temple Church in Des Moines, Iowa. As she entered retirement, she opened several small store fronts in her community. She was a lifelong gardener, baker, and cook. She also enjoyed crocheting, designing greeting cards, writing, watching westerns, and spending time with her family. Gloria was a friend to many and loved by all who met her. Her legacy of love, resilience, and generosity will continue to inspire her family and friends.

Her legacy of love and faith lives on in her children, Willie and Kay Richardson; daughters-in-law, Deanna and Clorean Richardson of Des Moines; siblings, brothers, Phillip and Lawrence Boyer, sisters, Alice Holman and Phyllis Boyer of Michigan; grandchildren, Eddie, Joey, Savanna, Sierra, Dantaze, Ezekiel, and Otis Richardson, Charnissa Horton, Janel Sellers, and Reed and Ashton Lamb; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and a host of extended family and friends.

She is reunited with her parents, Odis and Ella Richardson; aunt, Mary Jane Reddington; husband, Cecil Lee Richardson; partner, Glenn Taylor; sister, Delores Patterson; son, Mickel J. Richardson; daughters, Diane R. Richardson and Carneila J. Richardson; niece, Theresa Patterson; granddaughter, Tasha Richardson; and great-granddaughters, Tayona S. Richardson and Makaela D. Herr-Richardson.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa.

Funeral service will be Friday, September 20, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., also at Hamilton’s Funeral Home.

Her remains will be committed at Glendale Cemetery, 4909 University Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa.

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