Elizabeth LaVinia Richardson was born July 10, 1923, in a little log cabin near Tiffin, (St. Clair County) Missouri. She was the first child of Cloe Frances Lee (Ball) Richardson and Charles Walter Richardson. She was later joined by three sister and three brothers, Mary Matilda, Frances Lee, Anna Mae, David Louis, Charles Thomas and William Wesley Richardson.
The Richardson Family spent a few years in Nebraska returning to Missouri in early 1930’s. The Richardson children all entered school in a little one room school near Tiffin, MO. The school’s name was Union Point. LaVinia graduated from the eighth grade from Union Point. That fall she entered high school at El Dorado Springs, MO. She graduated high school in 1942.
November 1942 she was united in marriage to James William Bradley. This was the beginning of World War II. Bill was in the military at the time and was gone for several months. LaVinia was able to join Bill for a short time in Big Spring, Texas. To this union two children were born: James Walter Bradley and Norman Edward Bradley.
Bill was a farmer by trade, and when he returned from service, the Bradley family returned to the farm. They farmed until 1970 when Bill became ill and had to retire from farming. That fall they bought a house in Peculiar, and in January 1971, they moved to Peculiar.
In May 1966, LaVinia had gone to work for J.C. Penney Company and continued to work until January 1990 when Bill became very ill, and she needed to be home with him. Bill died March 3, 1990. LaVinia remained in the home in Peculiar. She became more active with her Sunday school class and other ladies of the Church interested in quilting. They made several quilts giving them to the Baptist Boys Home and the Apple Festival for sale in the name of the Church. She also became active with the Peculiar Senior Citizens serving as Vice President for several years.
In 1998 or 1999, LaVinia met James Leroy McMannama through Senior Citizens. They became very close friends and were married April 8, 2000. Roy died that December 8, 2000, of a massive heart attack. LaVinia returned to her home in Peculiar. After several years she moved to Rockport, TX for a short period of time returning to Kansas City, Kansas for the remainder of her days.
Surviving at this time are her brother, Charles Thomas Richardson, wife, Sharon Richardson and sister-in-law, Stacy Richardson; two sons, James Walter Bradley and Norman Edward Bradley and wife, Diane Elizabeth Bradley; grandchildren, Kimberly Marie, husband Joseph Dyer Cooney, Michael Shane Bradley, James William Bradley, Julean Bradley, Amy, husband David Morris, Dr. Elisa, husband Dr. Chad Brantly, Bethany, husband Caleb Reid, 14 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
