Joyce Richardson

Opal Joye McKeachnie Richardson, age 86 of Vernal, was born on March 16, 1929 to John William and Grace Hunting McKeachnie. She passed away September 30, 2015 at the Uintah Care Center in Vernal.

Joye was the older of two children born to John and Grace. Growing up, she spent much of her time with her cousins and for a time, many of the siblings and cousins lived together in a home in Glines Ward on the McKeachnie property until it burned down. They all spent the following Utah winter living in a tent while the current home she resided in was built in 1939, along with the twin house that currently stands next-door. The homes were built on what is known as "McKeachnie Corner". At that time, the entire block was the farming and ranching land of her father, John William McKeachnie, and his brother, Thomas Gene McKeachnie. Joye often helped them on their every-day tasks, and was also one of their star hands on Diamond Mountain and Oaks Park where they ran a large sheep camp.

Joye married her high school sweet heart, Kenneth Lynn Richardson on Aug 21, 1947 in Vernal and they were later blessed with a daughter Lynda, and two sons, Craig and John . Joye was an adventurous soul, and she loved being outdoors and in the mountains. She never shy'd away from hard work no matter her age. She was a member of the Lady Searchette's as part of the Uintah County Search and Rescue Team and also a fantastic addition to her local bowling team, often scoring a 240 or more. Along with being an amazing home-maker for her family, she also kept the books for her husband's Texaco station for the 50+ years that they owned it. She was an avid arrow-head hunter through the years and often took her children, grand children and great-grand children along with her on hikes while camping to search the ground for those Native American treasures. She took great pride in her gardening, passing down many tid-bits of plant knowledge to her family, and also adored attracting the wild humming birds to watch them drink from the feeders. Their home was well known in the community for its pristine gardens and lawns throughout the years, and they took great pride in all their hard work.

Joye is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth Lynn Richardson; daughter, Lynda Richardson Huber; brother, William Gene McKeachnie; and infant daughter, Cherlynn Richardson
She is survived by her sons: Craig (Karen) Richardson of Williston, ND; John (Kathy) Richardson of Vernal;
Grand children: Lynn (Wendy) Huber of Lapoint; Bart Huber of Billings, MT; Amy (David) Stratz of Vernal; Lacy (Derick) Lange of Vernal; and Mattie Richardson of Williston, ND; Great-grand children: Quintin Huber, Lyndsy (Remington) Roberts, Taylor Huber all of Lapoint; Ayden and Austyn Stratz of Vernal; and Carsen Lange of Vernal; Great-great-grandchildren: Easton and RyLynn Roberts of Lapoint.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at the Uintah Care Center for their compassion and care in her last days. We would also like to say thank you for all of the many kind prayers, calls, cards, visits and acts of service that have been rendered to all of us from so many.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 3, 2015 at 11AM at the Ashley Valley Funeral Home (410 N 800 W) in Vernal. A viewing was held Sunday, October 4 from 6:00-8:00PM. Interment was in the Vernal Memorial Park under the direction of the Ashley Valley Funeral Home.