Dorothy “Dot” Sue Hood Richards Saxton was born on December 4, 1932, in Benton, Mississippi, and passed away peacefully in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on July 9, 2025. Dot was a devoted Christian who loved the Lord and her family above all else. She and her first husband, William Cleo Richards, made their home in Waggaman, Louisiana, until Hurricane Katrina, after which they relocated to Baton Rouge. Later, she shared her life with her second husband, Rufus "Sonny" Saxton, living in both Benton, Mississippi, and Baton Rouge, where she remained for the rest of her life.
Dot is survived by her daughters, Kathy Richards Bordelon (Bubbie) and Frances Richards Veronesi; daughters-in-law, Angelia Hadley Richards and Gretta Cotton Richards Gobert (Steve); and a loving legacy of grandchildren, Shannon Richards Geiser (Rick), Bobby William Richards Jr., Tiffany Payne Sabo (Eddie), Tina Payne Stromeyer (Jason), CathyJo Payne, Inez Rome, Christopher Michael Miller (Sarah), Jessica Miller Moore (Matt), Brittney Richards Thompson (Phillip), Megan Renee Bello (Jeremy), Heather Elizabeth Richards (Nicholas), and David Martin Richards Jr. (Imie). She is also survived by 40 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Martin Hood Richards and Harley Hood; her husbands, William Cleo Richards and Rufus "Sonny" Saxton; her children, Bobby William Richards (Cynthia), Ann Shirley Richards Miller (Roger), Billy Ray Richards, and David Martin Richards; her sisters, Allie “Kitty” Elizabeth Martin Coker (Lawrence) and Madis Quanita Martin Richards (Cecil); and her brother, William Owen Toombs (Brenda).
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Stricklin-King Funeral Home in Yazoo City, Mississippi, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
A private graveside service will be held at Midway Missionary Baptist Church in Benton, Mississippi, officiated by her nephew, Reverend Thomas Earl Shroads Jr. Interment will follow.
In lieu of flowers,Donations can be made to the Midway missionary baptist church Cemetery fund
