Bertha Marie Hess Richardson

Mrs. Bertha Marie Hess Richardson, 87, a longtime resident of the Pine Ridge community, went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday night, July 9, 2014, from the home of her son, Alan Freeman. Mrs. Richardson was born July 22, 1926, in Wyoming County, WV, one of ten children born to the late Elbert Morgan and Dora Pearl Cain Hess. Marie retired from Quality Mills after many years of service and was a member of Pine Ridge Baptist Church. Marie's favorite passage from the Bible is found in the Book of Revelation: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away (21:4 KJV). She is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Ronnie and Darlene Freeman of Fancy Gap, VA, and Alan and Angie Freeman and Terry Freeman, all of Mount Airy; sixteen grandchildren; a step-grandchild; six great-grandchildren; a step-great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Eunice O'Neal and Sherri O'Neal, both of Mount Airy. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Richardson was preceded in death by her husband, Audy Richardson; six sisters, Leona Eileen Hess, Julia Edith Utt, Melba Ruth Lawson, Elizabeth Lorene Hutchens, Hazel June Berze, and Gladys Sue Hess; and three brothers, Henry Morgan Hess, Amos Leroy Hess, and James Walter Hess. The funeral service will be held Saturday, July 12, 2014, at 11:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Johnny Johnson and the Rev. Richard Cavey officiating. Burial will follow in the Coal Creek Cemetery in Galax, VA. The family will receive friends Saturday from 9:00 until 11:00 AM at the funeral home. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the love and compassion shown by the staff at Central Continuing Care. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030.