Sudie Walden Richardson, Oak Ridge

Sudie Walden Richardson, of Oak Ridge, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 7th at the age of 101. She was a faithful Christian, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and a wonderful person who always did anything she could for others.

She was born in Rock Creek, TN to William Michael Walden and Gertrude Marie Ayers Walden on July 4, 1925, the middle of their three children. She shared a special connection to her maternal grandmother, Effie Apple Ayers, who would remain close to her throughout Effie’s lifetime and continued to be an inspiration to Sudie for her whole life. Her family moved to LaFollette/Jacksboro when she was young, and upon graduation from Jacksboro High School, she gained immediate employment with the Atomic Energy Commission during World War II. She typed up cost accounting for the atomic bomb and other vital tasks to our nation during the War.

After the War, while she was continuing to work for AEC, she met the love of her life, Fred E. Richardson, whom she married on July 12, 1947. They shared a loving marriage until his death in 2009. Together, they moved to Oak Ridge and raised their two daughters, Freda Richardson and Sheila Richardson (Poling). She left her job to raise her daughters, but once they had both graduated from the University of Tennessee, she returned to work many more years alongside Sheila. She loved to work, whether for an employer or around the home and especially gardening. Her love of work kept her active throughout her long life, and contributed to the excellent health she was blessed with.

When her only grandchild, Joshua Richardson, was born in 1991, she was thrilled, and was the best grandmother anyone could have. She and Joshua have been truly blessed to have been able to spend almost exactly 35 years together. She often told him that God had let her live so long and so well so that they would be able to have as much time as possible together.

She was an extraordinary woman, and a blessing to all who knew her.

Sudie was predeceased by her parents, William and Gertie Walden, her special grandmother, Effie Ayers, her brother, Teddy Roosevelt Walden and sister Nell Rose Walden Ward, her half-brothers and half-sister, her husband, Fred Richardson, his six brothers and their wives, several beloved nieces and nephews and many friends. She is survived by her daughters, Freda and Sheila (Robert) and grandson, Joshua, who are all heartbroken over their loss, and several nieces and nephews who she loved dearly as well.

There will be a graveside service for friends and family at Oak Grove Cemetery in Rocky Top, TN on Thursday, September 10th at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for prayers.