Born Melba Charleen Smith on January 18,1933, in rural Dunklin County, Missouri, Charleen passed away October 6th, 2024, in Forsyth, Missouri, her home for the last 40 years.  Charleen was born the 6th child of Charles Spurgeon Smith and Trella Victoria Sorrells and grew up and graduated from the Risco, Missouri school system.  Charleen attended Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Missouri, for 2 years; then married Rodney D. Richardson in 1952.  Charleen and Rodney had 4 children while living in several towns in Illinois: Chandlerville, Cuba, Effingham, Bradley- Bourbonnais, and Canton.

In Canton, Charleen was active in the Wesley United Methodist Church, singing in the choir.  She possessed a beautiful soprano voice, which she shared at numerous weddings of her loved ones.  Charleen was active in the Fulton County Playhouse for many years, acting in several performances of Camelot, Sound of Music, and Oklahoma.

In Forsyth, Charleen operated the Canyon View and Sandrock Motels until 1996, when she moved to an earth -sheltered solar home on Juniper Road, living there until her passing.  In Forsyth, she was always near and in support of daughter and son-in-law Rondel and Phil Matney, helping with their children's needs and traveling with them on numerous occasions.  In the last decades, Rondel and Phil Matney were her unceasing caregivers, and in total support of her desire to live in her house until her death.

Surviving are her son Rodney W. Richardson of Forsyth, daughter Rondel L. Matney (Phil) of Forsyth, son Richard A. Richardson (Madge) of Cypress, Texas, and grandchildren Miles P. Matney (Jennifer) of Mansfield, MO, Mallory L. Griffin (Kevin) of Sevierville, TN, Jennings Drew Matney (Christina) of Branson, MO, and William D. Richardson of Georgetown, KY.  The Great Grandchildren are Thomas and Olivia Matney (Miles), Kaedyn, Ettalee, Irick, Julian, Carter, Elizabeth Ann Griffin (Mallory), Noah and Caleb Matney (Drew).

She is also survived by her brother, Larry D. Smith(Alice) of Cape Girardeau, MO,  and nieces and nephews James R. Roth(Evelyn) of MA, Charles B. Roth(Roberta) of IN, Victor L. Roth(Rhonda) of Malden, Larry R. Blades (Nancy) of NM, Trella L. Blades of Cape Girardeau, Charles J. Smith of Malden, Vicki A. Smith of LA, Deborah R. Hewes (Robert) of MA, Logan D. Smith of Cape Girardeau, and Donna L. Weyer(TJ) of Cape Girardeau.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Trella Smith, siblings Jennie L. Roth (Jim), James S. Smith(Elois), Jennings G. Smith(Algene), Juanita Blades (Bob), Norman E. Smith (Barbara Jean), nephew Gary S. Smith, niece Renda E. Spears, her husband Rodney, and her beloved son, Randon S. Richardson.

Services honoring her life will be held on November 27, 2024, at Landess Funeral Home in Malden, MO. Visitation will be at 10:00, services at 11:00, and interment to follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery, with her family.