Saundra Denise Richardson was born on November 11, 1948 at home by midwife to loving parents, the late Louella Turner Richardson and the late James P. Richardson in Petersburg, Virginia. She was the youngest of eight children who spanned 22 years in age.
Most of Saundra’s school-aged life was spent in her mother’s hometown of Morristown, Tennessee. Her mother had returned to Tennessee with her five youngest children in 1951 after the death of her husband. Saundra excelled in school. She was the Valedictorian of West High School and Morristown College classes. She received her degrees from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, and Oberlin College in Ohio where she studied biology and math. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and was also a member of the Union of Black Episcopalians.
Canon Richardson began her professional career in education and human services. She briefly taught math, but quickly became employed by the Tennessee Department of Human Services. She especially found fulfillment working with women and children who were victims of abuse and neglect.
Canon Richardson was always active in church. As a child she worshipped in the Bethel United Methodist Church where her maternal grandfather was pastor from the time it was built in 1904. It still stands today. It was at a Friday night consecration service in college where she first realized God’s plan for her in church leadership. In time she left the Methodist church and she felt a pull towards the Anglican Communion.
Saundra went on to study theology at the Virginia Theological Seminary and in June 1989 became the first woman in Hamblen County, Tennessee to be ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Church. She was ordained a priest in April 1990, and served the church in a variety of capacities. At the time of her death, she was serving as an administrator for Mariners Inn, a ministry of the Diocese of Michigan that seeks to restore alcohol and drug addicted homeless men to health and wholeness.
Canon Richardson never married or had children of her own, but was known and loved by many. she could always be found to have “a little something” to the delight of the children and adults in her life. Whether it could be coupons to your favorite restaurant, a yummy recipe that she thought you may like or just a kind word, Canon Richardson was a true inspiration and woman for others.
Source: Taken from A celebration of the resurrection of saundra richardson into the life of christ. June 13, 2013