Her Legacy

On May 10, 1941 in Lewisville, Arkansas, a bright light began to shine.  Christine Bell Richardson was born to the parentage of Curtis Bell and Caroline Heath Bell.  She was the second of four children born to her parents.  Christine went to her heavenly home peacefully on July 20, 2023.

Christine joined and was baptized at St. Paul Baptist Church, Lewisville Arkansas at an early age.  She was active in her church throughout her formative years. She later united with the Union AME Church in Little Rock, Arkansas and finally St. Luke United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas where she served for several years as a church greeter and a member of the 50+ praise dance team.

Christine's early education began in the Lewisville Colored School System where she displayed her many gifts and talents.  She excelled in school, participating in many clubs and extracurricular activities including basketball and band, where some of her favorite memories were of being a majorette.

After graduating from Lewisville Colored High School  in 1959, Christine attended Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas. She continued to show her creative talents in college and gained many new friends. During her time at Philander Smith she married Larry Burtell Richardson on December 17, 1961.

She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education and began her teaching career in Little Rock Public School System.  She soon became recognized for her unique and creative way of connecting with her students and encouraging them to succeed.

After teaching for a few years, she and Larry relocated to Dallas, Texas, where she continued to excel in her teaching career.  She received her Master's Degree in Education from Texas A&M Commerce and a Reading Recovery Certification from Texas Women's University.

During this time, Christine and Larry began a new journey as parents, adding the joy of two beautiful and deeply loved children to their family; daughter, Tiphanie Chrishon and son, Courtney Burtrell.  After the early demise of Larry in 1976, Christine's years were filled with enjoying watching Tiphanie and Courtney become active in numerous activities. She also enjoyed celebrating the many successes of her favorite and only grandson, Donovan Hill who graduated from law school in 2022.

Christine continued her teaching career in the Dallas Independent School.  She was recognized and received numerous awards: Teacher of the Year 1999-2000 (City Park School); ESL Teacher of the Year 1996-1997 (City Park School);  Dedicated Service Award, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. 1996;  James Gates Award-Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce 1996; Good Citizenship Regional Award, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., OMO Chapter 1995; Soror of the Year Award, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Alpha Rho; Notable Women of Texas – 1994; Excellence in Teaching Award, Finalist 1991; Valuable Service Award from the Mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas 1984; and African American History Award (City Park School), just to name a few.

Christine was actively involved in many organizations.  She was initiated in December 1991 into Omicron Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated where she was a proud Silver Star and Life Member. She was also actively involved with Phi Delta Kappa, Black Pearl's Book Club, SAGE, and Philander Smith College Alumni.

Christine loved to travel!  She traveled extensively within the United States and abroad.  Her journeys toke her to Northern Africa (Morocco), Bahamas, Jamaica, Italy, Germany, Austria, Holland, England, Switzerland and France, to name a few.

Christine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her in-laws, brother William Curtis Bell, sister-in-law Jackie Parker, brothers-in-law Timothy James Carr, James Thomas and Garland Hampton.

She is survived by her daughter Tiphanie Hill, son Courtney Richardson, grandson Donovan Hill; sisters Lillie Thomas and Vivian Carr; sister-in-law Yvonne Watson (Tony); brother-in-law Roswald Richardson (June); nieces Kasandra Chatman,  Dionne Morgan (Brian), Brittany Barnett (Freddie), Kia Watson, and Ehryn Parker; nephews William Daniel Bell, Kristopher Carr (Brittany), and Jamal Watson; great nephews Phillip Chatman, Landon Carr, Jakhari Johnson and Jordan Parker (Loren); great nieces Kendra Chatman, and Kristiona Carr, great-great nieces Breanna Chatman and Michelle Parker; great-great nephews Bryson James Chatman and Elijah Parker; her "besties" Mary Toles, Irene Taylor, Carolyn Evans and Solola Hutchinson and many more relatives and beloved life-long friends.

The family would like to give a special thanks to all the many friends who visited, sat with and drove her around.