Ocie Richardson

Ocie Richardson was born on April 1, 1945, to Rev. James Richardson and Cora Lee Hildreth in Lisbon, Arkansas.

Ocie passed away on June 16, 2023, at the age of 78. Ocie was raised in Smackover, Arkansas, where he attended Smackover Training School and graduated in 1965. Ocie married the late Johnny Beatrice Burrell on May 14, 1966; the two became one and were united in Holy Matrimony; they were married for 31 years before her passing on March 8, 1997. Ocie had a second marriage to Dorothy Wright.

In 1968 Ocie went to work for Chrysler; he retired on March 31, 2000. He climbed the corporate ladder and retired as an Area Manager during his career.

Ocie accepted Christ at an early age, and he became a member of Sweet Canaan Baptist Church in Mt. Holly, Arkansas; he later became a member of Christian Love Tabernacle of Holiness in Detroit, Michigan, under the leadership of his late wife, Evangelist Johnnie B. Richardson.

Ocie is preceded in death by his parent, Rev. James Richardson and Cora Lee Richardson- Hildreth; five brothers, Elton Richardson, Willie James Richardson, Joseph Richardson, Johnny Richardson, and Charles Ray Richardson; two sisters, Velma Teen Richardson, and Melissa Richardson- Minor, three stepbrothers, Thomas Hildreth LCDR (Ret), Billy J. Hildreth, Lt Commander in Chief United States Navy, and Curtis Hildreth Jr. and Rev, Earl Hildreth, four sisters, Dr. Helen R. Gurley, Gloria D. Ramey, Melva D. Allen and Gladys Mosby, and one daughter Cynthia Gray. One grandchild Frederick D. Burrell.

Ocie leaves to cherish his memories three sons, Frederick (Marci) Burrell, James Richardson, and DeShawn Smith, all of Detroit, Michigan; one daughter Alisha Molten of Detroit, Michigan; eleven grandchildren, Christopher Burrell, Marita Burrell, Miles Burrell, Daniell Gray, Kierra Gray, James Ocie Richardson, James Richardson Jr., Makiyah Curtis, Semaj Richardson, Sir. James Richardson and Ifeanyi Onvoha, all of Detroit, Michigan. One brother, Retired Staff Sergeant E6 Larry Lee Richardson (Telisha); three sisters, Carolyn (Kenneth) Rozier, Melinda Rogers, Greta Hildreth- Frazier all of El Dorado, AR; one stepsister, LaRuth Hildreth- Buggs of Atlanta, Ga.