Roberta Jean Richardson

Roberta Jean Richardson, of St. Charles, Missouri, died on Sunday, August 2, 2009, at the age of 67. Dear daughter of Doris N. Pickel and the late Robert S. Pickel, Sr.; loving mother of Deborah Reese, Vicki Johnson; Son, AJ (Bethany) Reese; treasured grandmother of Brian and Joshua Hagler, Joshua and Misti Rodger, and great-grandmother of Beca-Boo, Clayton, Mark, Steven, Chase, Nevaeh, and Evan; dear sister of Robert Pickel, Vicki Middleton, and Michelle A. Shannon. Everyone who was in Roberta's life new, she was a MOM to all. Her house in the neighborhood was always home base. She never turned away any of the strays her kids frequently brought home, no matter if it was coming home to a front yard full of bikers or little lost animals, Mom always made everyone feel loved like family. She was an extremely talented woman in both business and design. Her gift for creativity and design were second to none. In the 70's she created an entire new market in the macramé arts world by eliminating the hangings as just pot holders and creating unbelievable floor to ceiling wall works of art. This new market created by her was recognized in many articles and could be seen in person as the proud focal points in the Mark Twain Banks entrance foyers up and down St. Charles Rock Road. That was just the tip of the ice berg of what Moms accomplishments would be in the arts and craft world. The bar that she set for the competition was so out of reach and high that she basically formed a league all of her own. That was not surprising to anyone who new our Mother because she was always considered in a league of her own. She carried her self as a Lady but had no problem mixing it up in the rough and tough world of big business. Being a single mother in that time and day wasn't as accepted as it is in today's society, but instead of just settling for what society said was correct for in which way she was to raise her children. She fought hard and worked even harder to make sure her kids didn't always get what they wanted but making sure we ALWAYS had what we needed. Running the day to day operations of 3 car lots was very hard on Mom but she made it in her usual fashion and with the odds stacked against her being a female in a Mans world she was a success in that two. Cancer took her out of it for awhile and we didn't think she would make it through those times but as Mom proved so many times before she was a lot tougher than anyone gave her credit for. She beat the odds, all the way and came back with a vengeance, dabbling in the used car industry for a bit longer but realizing what her TRUE meaning in her professional career was about to be she found silk flowers. This would be her true passion and love. She was disturbed at the way my sister Debbie's wedding flowers arrived at the church on her wedding day that she vowed NOT to allow this to happen to another bride if she could help it. She shined most in this new career assisting & preparing brides for there most important day of there life by designing their floral needs in silk. Everyone who has ever seen a flower arrangement or decoration created by Mom finds them self's in awe over the creativity, Thought, care and Love that comes out in her decorations. This truly and honestly is what she loved to do most and all of us who have one in our home, whether it be a wall hanging, Christmas wreath, or a simple table decoration will always remember how thought full, giving and loving of a MOM she was to us all. She will be missed greatly. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held Sunday, August 23, 2009, at Wild Acres Park, Overland, MO (corner of Ashby and Midland Road). If you need directions, call AJ at 314-504-4789.