C. "Gayle" Richardson

C.Gayle Richardson 73 years old of Cairo, Mo.  Passed away after her battle with cancer on Saturday June 3, 2023 surrounded by her husband and children.

She was born March 21, 1950 in Moberly to Omer and Doris(Crump) Ornburn of Renick, Mo..  She married the love of her life Terry Richardson May 31, 1969.  She met him through friends and loves to tell the story of Terry throwing her off the dock at Lake Bon-tricia and her friend Joyce telling him to go save her because she can't swim.  They were married within six weeks of getting engaged.  Her mother was sewing on the last buttons of her dress as she was walking down the aisle.  Her love for the ocean started when Terry was stationed in Key West for the Navy.  They visited the Keys many times over the years. They renewed their wedding vows March 31, 2019 in Key West on the beach where they spent the first few years of marriage.  After Terry got out of the service they moved back to Moberly where she worked at several leasing companies until she retired from GE Capital.

She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was the happiest when she was with them.  It was rare that she missed an event they were involved in.  She looked forward to the yearly family vacation to the Lake of the Ozarks.  She got to spend a week with her whole family and time on the water.  She couldn't swim, but she loved going out on the boat and riding around.  She loved the Holidays because she knew she would get to spend quality time with her family.  The only time she was happier is when she was on a beach.  She loved her vacations at Lake Ozark, but her favorite ones would be the ones she spent at the beach with her kids and grandkids.

Gayle also had three very close friends who she loved spending time with Linda, Lyndia, and Joyce.  She loved their lunches they had every month.  Her family always teased her, because these lunches lasted hours and would consist of margaritas.  These ladies helped greatly during her battle with cancer.

She enjoyed spending time with her brother Rick and walking with him up at the college after he retired.  She said they weren't very fast, but they didn't get lapped.

Another thing she looked forward to every year was her trip she took the 2nd weekend in October.  She would spend the weekend attending a craft festival with her daughter, sister Barb and niece Annette. Some years a few of her other nieces would be able to join them.

Her son Ron introduced her to village displays.  She now has a miniature village that Ron and her change out for every season.  Her favorite would be Margaritaville with its lighthouse and everything beachy.

She is survived by her husband Terry Richardson of Cairo, Mo.  Two children, son Ronald (Ron) Richardson of Cairo, daughter Melissa Slater and her husband Shawn Slater of Moberly.  Five grandchildren, Russell Richardson, Nate Richardson and his husband Kawai Ng of Columbia, Mo, Mattie Richardson, Blake Slater and Wes Slater of Moberly.   One great grandchild, Zaylynn Osman.  One brother, Richard (Rick) Ornburn and his wife Michelle.  Several nieces, nephews and extended family.

She is preceded in death by her parents Omar and Doris Ornburn, her sister Barbara Muehe and her husband Johnny Muehe, her father and mother-in-law W. Tyler Richardson and I. Claudine Richardson 

 In lieu of flowers donations to the Dolphin Reach Center on Grassy Key, FL.  Would greatly be appreciated.  This was one of her favorite places to visit in the Keys and watched their “Live at the Lagoon” during the pandemic.  She purchased several items that were painted by the dolphins and also purchase a brick that says Richardson & Slater Moberly, Mo.  https://dolphins.org

In respecting her wishes there was not a visitation.  Funeral Services honoring Gayle’s life were held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery Shelter, Jacksonville,MO., Committal prayer and burial followed.