Shandla Richardson

Shandla Richardson, 49, of Columbia, MO passed away Saturday, October 5, 2024 while
surrounded by her family. She was born February 8, 1975 to Kathy (Delaney) Barnes and Ron
Duncan.
Shandla Diane (Duncan) Richardson grew up in Paris, MO and Madison, MO. She graduated
from Madison High School in 1993. She then moved to Cairo, MO where she would stay for the
next 26 years raising her three children.
Shandla loved raising children. She helped raise her three sisters, Lacey, Carrie, and Samantha
while still young herself. She was a stay-at-home mom until all three of her children, Russell,
Nate, and Mattie graduated high school. She was always willing to babysit for her cousins,
nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and friends.
Shandla cared deeply about cultivating life. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed tending to
her plants and flowers. She had several pets that she loved and nurtured. Shandla was an
endlessly creative person. She always had a project or craft that she was working on. Her
passions included drawing, sewing, crochet, and jewelry making.
Shandla’s focus on life and family helped motivate her after she was diagnosed with breast
cancer. She kept a positive outlook through all her treatments and procedures over the years.
She was dedicated to spending as much time with her loved ones as she could. Her most
treasured achievement in life was raising her children and always being there to guide and raise
every child that walked through her door.
Shandla was preceded in death by her grandparents Woods Harris and Dorothy Delaney, and
Orval and June Duncan; stepmother Theresa Duncan; and her beloved cat Hedwig.
Shandla is survived by her mother Kathy Barnes; father Ron Duncan; sisters Lacey Deacon with
husband Bradley Deacon, Carrie Duncan, Samantha Duncan; husband Ron Richardson;
children Russell Richardson with partner Cantrell McFarland, Nate Richardson with husband
Kawai Ng, Mattie Richardson with partner Jeremiah Moser; grandchildren Zaelynn Osman and
Oliver Moser; her precious cats Orion, Professor, Whiskers; and many more aunts, uncles,
cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Shandla will always be remembered for her heart of gold and willingness to help others. All she
ever wanted was for everyone to be kind and love one another.
“Thanks for letting me raise you.” - Shandla Richardson September 25, 2024
Private funeral services honoring and celebrating Shandla’s life took place graveside at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Madison, followed by a committal prayer and burial.