Martha C Richardson

Martha was born on January 29, 1926, in Mexico to Martina and Isabel Carrillo. Tragically, her father died of pneumonia while Martha was still a very young child. Raised by her mother and extended family, Martha grew up on her grandparent's farm in Zapoqui, Villanueva, Zacatecas, Mexico.  

When recounting the story of her life on the farm, Martha shared many fond memories of climbing trees in search of bird eggs, catching fish and turtles in the stream that ran through the farmhouse, playing in the pasture with her pet calf, and listening to her grandfather—who was the town mayor—and her uncles sing with beautiful voices while playing their guitars during family gatherings.  

At the age of twelve, Martha left the farm to work cleaning rooms at a hostel owned by a family friend in Mexico City. She remained in Mexico City working various jobs, including as a hair and makeup artist for well-known entertainers performing in local theaters, a cigar girl at clubs, and a waitress.  

It was while working as a waitress that she met Lewis Richardson, who visited her restaurant while vacationing in Mexico. Martha often told the humorous story of their first meeting, saying she didn’t believe Lewis when he told her he was American—she thought he was from Veracruz, Mexico. Thinking he was Mexican, she mischievously told the cook to prepare his meal with a lot of chilies. With one bite of the food, Lewis started choking and coughing from the heat, and it was then that Martha realized he truly was American.  

After returning to America, Lewis corresponded with Martha long distance and they spent time together during Lewis’ return visits to Mexico.  They later married in Mexico City in June 1954 and lived in Washington, D.C. where they raised their family. Martha remained in D.C. until Lewis’ passing in March 2003, after which she moved to Wesley Chapel, Florida, where she lived next door to her eldest daughter, who faithfully cared for Martha for the remainder of days.  

Martha is survived by her children: Caesar Carrillo, Cristina (aka Nina) Duvall, Ana Richardson,  Luis (aka Fito) Richardson, and Martha (aka Chabe) Kelly; her grandchildren: Charo Herasingh, Antonio Richardson, Rebekah Richardson, Judah Kelly, Jessica Kelly, and Tabitha Kelly; son-in-laws: Jason Duvall and Anthony Kelly; and several great- and great-great-grandchildren.  

While our family’s matriarch is gone and we will miss her dearly, her legacy and strength remain instilled in our hearts forever.

A Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 9:30am in the Rosary Hall with the Funeral Mass starting at 10:30am at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway, Land O' Lakes, Florida 34639.

A second Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2025 starting at 10:30am at Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, Maryland 20901.  Interment is scheduled for 12:00 noon at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20906.