Mother Almetta Wallace Richardson

With heartfelt sympathy, Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc., and members of the Wallace family announce the passing of Mother Almetta Wallace Richardson of Darlington, SC. Mother Richardson transitioned at home Tuesday, December 23, 2025, surrounded by love.

The family will be receiving friends beginning on Friday, December 26, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the residence of a daughter and son-in-law, Rosa and Robert Dargan, 1323 Society Hill Rd, Darlington, SC.

A Celebration of Life for Mother Almetta Wallace Richardson will be 1:30PM on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at Flat Creek Baptist Church, 1369 Society Hill Road, Darlington. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. 
 

Public viewing will be 12:00 noon to 4:00PM on Saturday, December 27, 2025 in the Chapel of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc. 

The Obituary 

"For I am ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”— II Timothy 4:6-7

Mother Almetta Wallace Richardson, the cherished eldest child of the late Boykin, Sr. and Clara Lee Smith Wallace, was born on Monday, July 26, 1937, in Darlington, South Carolina. On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in the quietness of her home, God welcomed another "beautiful rose" into His heavenly garden. Almetta’s loving devotion to her family, friends, and community will be deeply missed; her bright spirit and presence will be eternally remembered.

Affectionately known as Mama, Metta, Me-Me, Grandma, Miss Meta,she received her formal education through the Darlington County School System, particularly from the Rosenwald Schools. In her youth, she embraced life, enjoying dancing, having fun, Metta and her siblings were the life of the party. 

Later in life, Almetta embraced the importance of a relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was converted and baptized at Flat Creek Baptist Church in Darlington, South Carolina. Mother Richardson remained a faithful servant of God, serving Him well until her health declined. She was a dedicated member of the Missionary Ministry, Pastor’s Aid Ministry and the choir. Quiet in demeanor, she often attended worship services with her daughters, Clara and Linda, clapping to the music and soaking the Word of God in.

Almetta was united in marriage to the late Mr. Otis Richardson of Hartsville, South Carolina.

In her early years, Almetta was a farmer and later performed domestic work. However, her greatest joy was lovingly caring for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Always quick to lend a helping hand, her home was always open, a place where you were guaranteed a meal or a place to lay your head. She was known for cooking flat jack cornbread, lima beans, collards, biscuits, frying fish, and watching her soap operas with Victor Newman and Miss Chancellor. She often spent time on the phone daily with her girls: Lugenia “Ophelia” Timmons, the late Carnell Curtis, and the late Mother Ethel “Sister” Graham. 

Mother Richardson genuinely enjoyed life. She treasured family time, sitting on her porch, cooking, going fishing with Mrs. Mary Charles, and often taking strolls to see what was happening "under the tree." Her contagious laugh will be dearly missed.

Almetta’s memory and her enduring legacy of love will be carried on by her children: Brenda Wallace of Charlotte, NC; Edward Marshall Wallace, Rosa (Robert) Dargan, Clara (Lynwood) Lunn, Linda (Preston) McLeod, Edward Leroy Wallace (Robbie), Arthur Junior Wallace (Patricia), and James Deshon Richardson (Kim), all of Darlington, SC. She also leaves behind eleven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and her siblings, Edgar (Rosa) Wallace and Phillip Wilson Wallace, both of Darlington, a dear friend, Ruby Jackson of Darlington, whom she embraced as a daughter; along with a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Boykin, Sr. and Clara Wallace; her beloved husband, Otis Richardson; her grandson, Dante’ Eugene Wallace; great-grandchildren: Barbara Sports and Qua’Mari Jenkins; her siblings, Eugene Wallace, Boykin Wallace, Jr., and Lillie Mae Wallace Robinson; her beloved aunt, Mother Viola “Momma Sissy” Smith Williamson; a niece, Emma Jean Sparks; and a nephew, Frederick Wallace. 

A woman of remarkable strength, unwavering faith, and boundless love...her legacy will live on.

Please keep the family and friends of Mrs. Almetta Wallace Richardson in your thoughts and prayers.

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