Thomas F. Richardson
Retired
Thomas F. Richardson died Thursday in Peterborough, New Hampshire. H (sic He) was 96 years old. He grew up in Smith County, the middle child of the 13 chilren of James M. and Mary Arender Richardson.
Mr. Richardson graduated from Mississippi College in 1917 along with two of his brothers, James C. and W. M. Martin Richardson -- the only time that three brothers have graduated in the same class. He immediately enlisted in the Marines and served in France at the battles of Bclleau Wood and Chateau Thierry during World War I, surviving the torpedoing of his ship enroute.
After attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology he taught history at Hillhouse High School, New Haven Connecticut for 30 years and served as Assistant Superintendent of Schools in that city. He earned the Master of Arts degree from Yale University.
After his retirement he returned to Mississippi, operating a tung nut farm near Poplarville.
The family history "Richardson-Hartley-Arender and Related Families" was published in 1969 by Tom Richardson. It contains the names of over 6,000 descendants of Elijah Richardson of Tennessee and Frank Hartley of South Carolina, both of whom moved to Mississippi about 1815. The book also includes background information on the life and times in Mississippi at the turn of the century.
He also played a major role in organizing reunions of the Arender family at Pleasant Hill Church and of the Richardson family at Piney Grove Church, both in Smith County.
He is survived by two sisters, Terry Council of Magee, and Annie Fortenberry of McComb.
Survivors also include three children: Elizabeth R. Pulley of Greenville South Carolina, Thomas F. Richardson, Jr. of Nashua New Hampshire, and H. Harlow Richardson of Peterborough New Hampshire, as well as twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 8, at 2 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home in Magee, Ms. with burial at Sharon Cemetery.
Visitation was at the funeral home 5 until 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. until funeral time Sunday.
Memorials may be made to the Sharon Cemetery Endowment Fund, CO Sharon Presbyterian Church, Magee, MS 39111, a fund began by Mr. Richardson for the upkeep and preservation of this historic Smith County landmark.
The Magee Courier, 12 Sep 1991, Thu, Page 8