MAXINE ‘LAJUAN’ PICKETT RICHARDSON
Maxine “LaJuan” Pickett Richardson passed away at home on Jan. 23, 2021, at the age of 84.
LaJuan was born July 18, 1936, in Teague, to Asa Willis and Eula Mae Massey Pickett. Her father was a farmer and County Commissioner for Freestone County. She grew up with six siblings. As the oldest daughter, she often had to take care of her siblings and would spend her free time reading books by the light of a coal oil lamp. LaJuan was a good student and graduated from Teague High School in 1954 in the top of her class. After graduation she attended Navarro College.
LaJuan was an extremely hard worker. She was a bookkeeper for Ivan Thorne Contractors until his death. She and A.D. successfully owned and operated their pipeline contracting business in Mexia, from 1974 until retirement. She was also a treasurer for Driver Cemetery Association and worked for H&R Block preparing taxes for people in the local area. In her free time, she was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and enjoyed genealogy research with her sister, Nancy. She loved watching sports, especially if her children or grandchildren were participating. She kept the team score and their personal stats. LaJuan was also a long-standing member of First Baptist Church in Teague, where she attended faithfully until her Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2012.
LaJuan met her husband, A.D. “Sonny” Richardson and married at the age of 19. They enjoyed 65 happy years of marriage. One of the highlights of their marriage is that they looked forward to the July 4th rodeo in Teague. Throughout their marriage, they had only missed a couple of rodeos! In their later years, LaJuan and A.D. were full of mischief and shenanigans. Their grandchildren nicknamed them Bonnie and Clyde. This dynamic duo will never be the same, but leave many precious memories.
LaJuan was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Eddie Gene Montgomery and Asa Eugene Pickett; also two daughters, Juana Ann Richardson and Karen Rene Chasteen.
LaJuan is survived by her son Kenneth Richardson and wife Charlotte; daughter Kathy Rayburn and husband Robert; daughter Kala Richardson; daughter Kandi Trantham and husband Curtis McIntire; sister Nancy Rula; brother Joe Glenn Pickett and wife Betty; sister Gloria Davis and husband Richard; brother Willis Pickett and wife Helen; and son-in-law, Ronnie Chasteen. LaJuan leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren that adored their Nana; also numerous nieces, nephews and many extended family and friends. Family was her everything!
The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to LaJuan’s caregiver, Rosie Valdez, and Texas Home Health and Hospice for their loving and compassionate care during her recent illness. In addition, we are grateful for the tender care she received from Dr. John Shelton, Dr. David Fedro and Dr. Justin Wray, with Texas Oncology. To honor and celebrate her life, LaJuan’s family has planned a visitation at Corley-Porter Wortham Chapel on Monday, Jan. 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Her graveside service will be Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m. at Driver Cemetery.
An online guestbook is available at www.corleyporterfuneralhome.com and selecting the Maxine “LaJuan” Pickett Richardson obituary.
