Jessie Mae Staten

Jessie Mae Staten was born on July 10, 1933 in Montgomery, Alabama. She was the first born child of Isaiah and Christine Johnson; her parents preceded her in death. Jessie passed from this earth to her Heavenly Home on the morning of March 9, 2024 at the age of 90 years old. Jessie attended school in Montgomery, Alabama, while in high school she met and fell in love with Walter Richardson and soon after Jessie and Walter married. While living in Alabama, they became the parents of three children. Walter joined the military and Jessie and the children relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana. After Walters' military duty ended, the family was reunited and seven more children were born. Jessie was the proud mother of four daughters and six sons. Her son Carl Richardson passed away April 28, 2021. After many years of marriage, Jessie and Walter divorced but remained the best of friends as they remained a united front and raised their children. Jessie eventually met and married Joe Staten who preceded her in death. Jessie worked for Indiana Bell for many years, after retirement, she rested for a short while and then took a job as the cafeteria cook for Zion Hope Christian School. She loved the children there and they loved her. Many times she would make them special treats from her own kitchen. Many stories have been told of her giving the children extra food when she wasn't supposed to! Jessie was a member of Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church for more than twenty years she loved her church family and always said "I've got the best Pastor in the world!". She was a strong woman of faith and trusted her God! During her illness, her faith never wavered...in her words "God got me", she held on to that until she took her last breath. Jessie loved her children fiercely, there was nothing humanly possible that she wouldn't do for them. She made many sacrifices to insure that they had everything that they needed. She was a mother like no other! Jessie had a heart for her grandchildren, they knew that when they walked through her door, they would receive nothing but genuine love and acceptance. Jessie's house was definitely a no judgement zone! Jessie loved to cook and have her entire "clan" over to her house, she made sure that everyone had their favorite dish, even if that meant making twenty different dishes! It bought her great joy just having her children and grandchildren in her presence. Jessie loved to shop and when she went shopping, there was not an inch of that store that she didn't cover! When one of her children would take her shopping, they knew better than to make any other plans for that day because you were going to spend hours in Walmart, Macys and Kroger! Jessie had a heart for serving, she served the homeless, the hungry, the hurt. She always had a plate of food for whoever knocked on her door. At times, she even gave them a place to live. When her children would warn her of allowing people into her home, her words were "I'll be alright, God got me". She offered encouraging words to those in need, no matter what the circumstances. She would give her last dollar to someone in need and say "That's alright, cause God is going to bless me!" Jessie was preceded in death by her parents, her son Carl, her brother Isiah Jonhson Sr, her sister Ola M. Richardson. Jessie leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life, her children, Anne Bridgewater and devoted Son in Love Robert, Pearl Williams, Darlean Gill and devoted Son in Love Livingston, Arlean Richardson, Robert Richardson and devoted Daughter in Love LaDonna, Freddie Richardson and devoted Daughter in Love Renita, Tony Richardson (Deborah Terrell) Keith Richardson and devoted Daughter in Love Shawnya, Kevin Richardson, her friend and father of her children Walter Richardson, her Neices and Nephews who loved her dearly Christine Jones (Rufus), Juanita Richardson, Pernell Richardson (LeVon) Willie Richardson Jr, Mark Richardson, Ron Johnson (Lou), Isiah Johnson Jr. Her best friend and confidant Gertrude Williams, Cousin Gurly Gilmore with whom she shared a special relationship. There are thirty grandchildren who will cherish "Grandma" forever and will forever hold her in their hearts. Fifty great-grandchildren who will cherish all the special moments they shared with her and two great-great grandchildren who will be taught about her and her love for them. Jessie leaves behind many other family members, friends and her "Neighborhood Kids" who she loved dearly. Jessie will be deeply missed but will always be in the hearts of those who loved her and those that she loved.

Jessie Mae Staten

July 10, 1933 - March 9, 2024