Renee Evette Richardson

Renee' "Lovely" Evette Richardson departed this Earth on October 8, 2021, surrounded by loving family and friends. She was born on September 22, 1971, in Louisville, KY, to Belzora Scott and Dennis Townsend and then accepted Christ at 12 years old under Bishop Leon Carter at the Faith Church of Deliverance. Renee' was a member of Unity Choir and her favorite scripture was "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." - Luke 10:19


Renee' graduated from Pleasure Ridge Park High School in 1989 and continued her education at Park University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources and Health Care Management. She began working for Jefferson County Public Schools and served until she fell ill.


A humble servant, Renee' began Pearls of Wisdom Women's Ministry after receiving a vision from the Lord. Due to her love of arts and crafts and design, she founded Humble Beginnings Designs. Renee' was also the executive assistant to the CEO of Southern Soulful and Sweets.


Elder Richardson became an ordained minister on May 21, 2006, at Mt. Zion Disciples Church under Apostle Tino L. Bell in Goldsboro, NC. As a devoted member of Meadowlawn Baptist Church, Renee' served as the Assistant Pastor to Pastor William A. Hodge, Sr. She was also a member of the choir and Pastor's Aide Committee, and she was a leader of the Women's Ministry.


Renee' was preceded in death by her son, Ezra Gerald Smith IV; her father, Dennis Townsend; her father, Richard McKnight Sr.; and her sisters, Kim McKnight and Rita Townsend.


She leaves to cherish her memory "the finest black man from North Carolina," her husband Robert Richardson; her daughter, Jasmine Richardson; grandson, DeShawn Holt; mother, Belzora (Joseph) Scott; and her brother, Rodney Barbee. She also leaves behind her siblings Richard McKnight Jr. (Tanya), Karen McKnight, Teresa Wilkins (Byron), Terenia Townsend, Denise Townsend, Rhonda Townsend, Marilyn Townsend, Lenata Townsend, Jackie Hendricks (Marcus), Latyana Lewis, Dionna Davis, Denia Davis, DeWayne Conner, Deon Conner (Tanisha), Tysha Cameron, and a host of nieces and nephews. Other cherished family includes Katrina Watts (Isaiah); her adopted parents, Henry and Rosa Hollingsworth; and Joyce Brooks (Phillip).


Renee was a bright spirit, full of joy, who stayed faithful to the Lord and she loved to cook. In her last months, she often declared "I am healed."

Visitation will be from 8:00 am to 10:00 am on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Meadowlawn Baptist Church, (12103 E. Orell Road). Her Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, at Meadowlawn Baptist Church with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery