Judy P. Shepherd Richardson

Judy P. Morris Shepherd Richardson, Topeka, went to her Lord peacefully from her home Sunday, July 29, 2007.

Judy was born March 8, 1942, in Havensville, KS, to Grace Lum and was raised by her grandmother, Lavinia (Downie) Lum. She was graduated from Havensville High School in 1960 and was a homemaker for much of her life, residing in Wichita, Dodge City, Aurora, Miltonvale, Maple Hill, Paxico, and Topeka, KS, and Liberty, MO. Judy was active in the United Methodist church as a Sunday school teacher and led youth groups and Women's Circles. She served as a Girl Scout & 4-H leader and was extensively involved in her children's education.

Judy assisted her grandmother in the Havensville telephone office from the age of 10 through high school. Years later, she resumed this path when she was employed by the State of Kansas in 1984 as a KanSAN Switchboard Operator I, was promoted to a Network Control Tech II in the Network Control Center in 1988 and shortly thereafter to Network Control Tech III. In October 2001 Judy advanced as an Equipment Planning Technician, managing the Voice Mail System, the Automated Call Distribution, and the Interactive Voice Response. She played a key role in administering the Fujitsu PBX in the Wichita State Office Building. She retired from the Division of Information Systems and Communications in September 2006.

Judy's passion for her family's well-being was evident throughout her life as she taught her children to value loving, learning, and knowing Christ as their Savior. An intensely private woman, she nevertheless was a staunch friend and gracious hostess with interests ranging from books, painting, and music to interior design, social justice and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Judy is survived by her loving husband and long-time friend, Phillip L. Richardson, of the home; three daughters, Cheryl Shepherd-Adams and husband Paul Adams of Hays, Denise and Rod Hamm of Lawrence, and Jennifer Lueske of Olathe; five brothers, David and Barbara Belden of Topeka, John and Joy Morris of Boone, NC, Edward and Louwanna Morris of Cedar Rapids, IA, Don and Sarah Morris of Linwood, and Dan and Hollyce Morris of Topeka; one sister, Vicky and Kurt Sly of Salina; her former mother-in-law, Donna Shepherd of Onaga; and six grandchildren. She will be missed by many other friends and relatives.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, August 2, 2007 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Avenue. Interment will follow in Havensville Cemetery, Havensville, KS. Judy's family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Children's Library of the Topeka and Shawnee Co. Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604-1374. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.