Mrs Harriet Estelle Richardson

Our beloved Harriet E. Richardson was sent home on February 25th, 2020. She was born on October 18, 1949, to the late Justine and John Griffin, in Hampton, VA. Our Grandmother who you all knew as "Goo", "Goo Goo", or to more than half of you "Aunt Goo", was a mother of many and a caretaker of anybody who asked for help. She would cook for you 4 to 5 times a week and give a bed to you in her home that she would personally pick out the matching sheets and pillow covers from her hall closet just to make sure your stay was comfortable. A king-size bed in her room but not because she was a wild sleeper, we would like to think she kept the extra space and pillows for the countless nights that she would find herself in bed with at least 3 to 5 grandchildren at any given time. Somebody who's laugh would brighten up the room and more than often she was the one telling the jokes we all laughed at. Never wanting to expire or grow too old for something, always reminding us that she was the "Hip Grama". "Don't buy me that Grama looking dress she would say." With her tell it like it is sassy ways, there was never a dull moment if she was around. She wasn't much for confrontation unless you decided to mess with her kids or grandbabies, living up to that saying only a phone call away night or day. If we called her, our mothers knew for sure she was coming and wasn't leaving until she said all she had to say to whoever needed to hear it. Always having to be the reflection of her kept us grandkids pretty spoiled. If we were going to a sleepover, we got new pajamas and our own sleeping gear. The birthday parties we attended, she usually picked the gifts so of course trying to get grama to side with us on why we needed this hairstyle and those shoes were as easy as a blink of an eye. The cook that would bring out the whole family to 2128 Roanoke Avenue just for a plate. "What your Grama cooking?", we were always asking. Neighbors and all surrounding friends couldn't resist a pot of her fresh greens, mac n cheese, potato salad, and whatever meat she put with it. "Feed the children and the men first", she would say as she sneaked upstairs to finally relax. "Tell Theresa or Ebony to make me a plate, not too much", a message she would send down by whichever grandchild that went upstairs to ask if we could all spend the night. We would get on her nerves all night being loud until we heard that riding chair coming down the steps. "Grama that wasn't me!" we quickly would throw each other under the bus, not that it would help because we were all getting cursed out either way. From birth to surgeries, the first day of school to graduation, homecoming and proms, principal office and courtrooms, football games and hospital visits... we always had our grandma. It would probably be easier to tell you what events she didn't make it to. How could one lady manage to give so much of herself to so many people? We can only pray to be half of who she was. Losing our grandmother will forever be a matter of why and how come because we truly lost our biggest supporter; our cheerleader our run to, our protector, our day one. And as the tears pour the reality sinks in because we just lost our best friend, in a matter of a blink. She predeceased by her mother, Justine Griffin, and her father, John Griffin; her late husband Richard Richardson Jr., and three siblings, Joyce Walters, Thee Beatrice McNeil, and Eugene Griffin. She is survived by three children, Theresa Rasululah, Ebony Johnson, and Rodney Griffin; 21 grandchildren, Lashawna Jordan, Shacarra Johnson, Joy Clay, Kamilah Elimu, Kamerun Edwards, Jasmine Johnson, Chasidi Roberts, Donald Roberts, Harriet Griffin, Tameka Griffin, Big Rodney, Little Rodney, Baby Rodney. plus eight more grandchildren; and a handful of great-grandkids; four remaining siblings, Janice Campbell, William Griffin, John Griffin, and Paulette Griffin; five-lifetime friends, Maria Holland, G.B, Susan Smith Lewis, Towanda Hall, and Janice Griffin; and an uncountable number of cousins nieces and nephews. Special thanks to the hospice company, Heartland, for all the care and extra support they provided throughout her last months. We also thank all those who participated in providing comfort and company to our grandmother. It was appreciated and didn't go unnoticed.

Mrs Harriet Estelle Richardson

October 18, 1949 - February 26, 2020