Corinne Hope Richardson

Corinne Hope Richardson, 96, entered eternal paradise with Jesus on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Daughter of V. R. and Anita Berkhoff Clendenon, Corinne was born on September 20, 1927, near Wapello, Iowa. When her mother died in 1937, she moved to Kahoka, Missouri, to live with her maternal grandparents, Charlie and Margaret Berkhoff. She attended rural schools in northeast Missouri and graduated from Kahoka High School in 1945. She attended a nearby Christian college and taught at one of the local rural schools, later working in a funeral home as a receptionist for ten years. 

Corinne spent many years early in her life as a member of the Kahoka Methodist Church, sang in the Adult Choir, directed the Children’s Choir, and was active in all church activities. She was also active in the Business & Professional Women’s Club and other local organizations. 

Corinne met her beloved husband, Tom Richardson, when he came to Kahoka as interim pastor in the summer of 1954. They were married two years later, on June 3, 1956, in the same church where they met. They were married the same week Tom graduated from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

Tom served as a chaplain in the United States Air Force for twenty years and also served several United Methodist Churches in the New Mexico Annual Conference, namely Tularosa, St. Andrews (Albuquerque), Ruidoso, and finally appointed as associate pastor here at Grace, where he served for twelve years. Corinne was always active in the women’s groups and organizations of both the Air Force and the local church. She also always sang in the Chancel Choirs. Her favorite pastimes were walking, reading, and crossword puzzles. 

After her husband died in 2017, she continued to attend as many church activities as possible. She was always in attendance on Sundays, calling Sunday morning worship the “highlight of my week!” She continued to love the music of the church, even when she could no longer participate in the Chancel Choir. She often found herself mouthing along with the choir during their anthems. 

A service of worshiping God and thanking Him for Corinne’s life will occur at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 16, at Grace Methodist Church (16th and Cuba Ave.). A 9 a.m. visitation hour will precede the service, and following the service will be a memorial reception. After the reception, all are invited to join for a graveside service at Monte Vista Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the memorial fund at Grace Methodist Church of Alamogordo.

The Richardson family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Scenic Chapel to direct the funeral services.

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