On Saturday morning, December 28, 2013 God dispatched His Garden Angel to remove the last branch from the tree of Julia Boddie.

Sarah Richardson, lovingly known by all as “Aunt Sal”, was a strong sturdy branch.  She blossomed for 93 years, even through the passing of 2 brothers, 3 sisters, 2 nephews, and a husband of 58 years.

Aunt Sal was born in Oak Mountain, Georgia April 17, 1920.  She worked and lived in Columbus, Georgia for 10 years before moving to Gary, Indiana.  During her 58 years in Gary she accepted Christ and joined the Christian Valley Baptist Church.  She returned home to Waverly Hall in 2010 and later joined Bluff Spring CME Church. /span> Aunt Sal’s delightful ability to engage in conversation budded friends everywhere she traveled.  Even when her branch started to bend she sprouted friends at Roosevelt Warm Spring Institute for Rehabilitation and Oak View Waverly Hall.

Her life was a source of joy during every season, and she will always be remembered through the offshoots of 3 nieces: Joanne carter (James), Joann Brown, Siddie Willis (Larry); 6 nephews: Joe Brown, Jr., Oscar Brown (Brenda), Willie Fred Smith (Marilyn), J. D. Smith, Aaron Brown, Walter Smith (Georgia); 26 grand nieces and nephews; 34 great grand nieces and nephews; (Anniece Brown and Joyce Smith)

Aunt Sal’s branch has been carefully pruned from the tree on this earthly tabernacle, but the family rejoices in the knowledge that she will sprout again, and we will meet under the shade of the Tree of Life in our heavenly home.