XYLA RICHARDSON

HOUSTON, TEXAS-Graveside services for Xyla Constance Richardson, 92, Houston, Texas, formerly of Ada, are 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Rosedale Cemetery.

Mrs. Richardson died Sunday, September 14, 2008 at a Houston, Texas hospital. She was born April 20, 1916 near Pauls Valley, Oklahoma to Alvin and Sallie Driskill Murdock. She graduated from Paoli High School at the age of 16 and started college at East Central State College. In 1971 at the age of 55, she returned to college and completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education at East Central State University.

She married Allen W. Richardson on December 24, 1935. He preceded her in death. Mrs. Richardson taught in Kuwait and Galena, Missouri. Xyla traveled extensively and lived in Palestine, England, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Denmark. She and her husband started a Sunday School for children while living in Denmark. She was an active member, serving in various offices of the DAR. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She attended the First Baptist Church while living in Ada and after her moved to LaPorte, Texas, she attended the First Baptist Church there. In LaPorte, she participated in numerous plays presented by the Senior Citizens Center. She enjoyed life and was active in the community affairs of the cities where she lived.

Survivors include three sisters, Wanda McCormick and husband Mahlon, LaPorte, Texas, Treba Hill and husband Ben, Aurora, Ohio, and Delma Loftis and husband Gene, Cape Girardeau, MO; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Allen W. "Blackie" Richardson, two sisters, and a brother.

Criswell Funeral Home, Ada