Martin Triplett Richardson

Martin Triplett Richardson was a big man at six foot six inches with a heart the size of Texas. Born on April 21, 1983, to Sharion Harp Richardson and Alan Blake Richardson, Martin graduated from Itawamba Agricultural High School. After “touring” several colleges and universities, Martin received his degree in Human Resources. Ironically, he did not use the degree professionally, but did he ever understand humans. Martin never met a stranger and loved meeting new people. If he met a person, he remembered the name and the place where their paths had crossed. Martin had a phenomenal memory, remembering events with granular detail—what somebody wore or what songs were played at an event. He remembered the fun stories with great detail. Martin was offered a new car in high school after getting his driver’s license, but he opted to drive “Ole Blue,” a 1987 Suburban, because he could fit more friends in that vehicle. And did they have some good times! It is probably good that the statute of limitations has run.

Martin was a member of Fulton United Methodist Church. In his professional life, he was employed by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors and later became a licensed real estate appraiser. He enjoyed numbers, but mainly he enjoyed meeting the homeowners and seeing new countryside. He was a decent golfer and loved the sport. Martin was a third generation Sigma Chi at Mississippi State University. He loved Mississippi State and was an avid fan. He could remember past football games in amazing detail—play by play, stats, and names of players. To his children, Martin was a loving father who coached Little League for each of their teams. He was adored by his children and all his players. Despite a long illness of brain cancer, Martin was courageous to the bitter end. His attitude was nothing but remarkable. The last question he asked prior to surgery in 2015 at MD Anderson was whether the neurosurgeon could make him spell better while fixing his brain. Martin’s good spirits lifted everybody, and his quick wit and humor only cultivated with new material toward the end of life. He knew and understood life.

Martin died at his home on September 15, 2023. While his life may have been shorter than desired, he never questioned why. He had great faith in God’s plan and lived life to the fullest. Martin enjoyed every day, every event, his family, and his children; he just squeezed everything out of life during his forty years on this earth. He outlived the textbook definition of glioblastoma. Swarms of family and friends visited Martin in the last months. Many tales were told and precious memories revived. Again, the statute of limitations has run. Many people visiting in the home realized they did not know each other, but Martin was the common denominator. He always had the skill of networking, bringing friends together, sharing connections, and enabling people to go forth in new friendship. Martin did not have acquaintances; he had friends—genuine friends—the kind that said “I love you” after every departure. Truly, his legacy for his children is his many dear and loyal friends. Martin and his family were covered with prayers, visits, food, and well wishes from his church and community, far and wide.

Martin is survived by his children, Vivian Ruth Richardson and Hollis Kline Richardson; his mother, Sharion Harp and step-father, William Randolph (“Randy”) Aycock; his grandparents, Mary Ruth Stone (“RuRu”) and Clarence Darrell Harp, Sr.; a special “Uncle Buck,” Clarence Darrell Harp Jr., and “Aunt Susan;” his aunts and uncles, Jan Richardson Robertson, Brigadier General William “Bill” Richardson (Jane), Arden Ray Aycock, Jr. (Ellen), Robert Hunter (“Bob”) Aycock (Donna), Mary Helen Aycock Stubbs (“Buddy”), his great aunt, Holly Stone Ford, as well as a host of cousins, Mary Leigh Harp Johnson (Brad), Maggie Harp Edwards (Scott), Susan Robertson Prater (Todd), Amy Diane Robertson, Sarah (“Sadie”) Aycock Krawczyk (Brian), Bradley (“Brad”) Thomas Aycock (Samantha), Frances Erin Stubbs, Van (“Vandy”) Tankersley Stubbs, III (Sara Frances), Justin Hunter Aycock (Chelsea), and John Robert Aycock (Shelby). He is also survived by his friend and mother of his children, Leah Richardson Caldwell.

Martin is preceded in death by his father, Alan Blake Richardson, and grandparents, Vivian Keele and Colonel Howard Richardson and Helen Robertson and Arden Ray Aycock, Sr.

Pallbearers are Louis Lee, John Russell O’Neal, Tab Bennett, Judge Michael P. “Chip” Mills, Corey Moore, Scott Edwards, Morgan Myrick, Steven McNeece, Kelly Martin, Chad Case, Philden Stockton, Clay Dozier, Clay Weatherford, Beau Martin, Lashama Mabry, Daniel Bunch, Vandy Stubbs, John Robert Aycock, Hunter Aycock, Dale Gann, Gil Hughes, Will Poteria, Anna Belle Bunch, Kevin Cowart, Kim Cowart, Jim McCullough, Chance Prestage, Kevin Knight, Cade Riley, and Will Smith.

Special caregivers were Dr. Burt Nabors (neuro-oncologist at UAB), Claire Northington, Cynthia McPherson, Kim Jarrett, MJ Wheeler, Amber Graves, Michelle Cain, NMMC Hospice, Sharon Cox, Uncle Buck and Aunt Susan, Louis Lee, and Chip Mills.

Services will be handled by McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Fulton. Visitation and the funeral will be held at The Orchard Church in Fulton. Visitation will be on Monday, September 18, 2023, from 5:00-8:00 PM, and the funeral will be Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 3:00 PM. A private burial will be held at the Stone Cemetery in Tremont. Rev. Smith Lilley will conduct the service and Martin’s friend and neighbor, Joel Ewing, will assist. Louis Lee and John Russell O’Neal will deliver eulogies.

Following the funeral, friends and family will gather at the Aycock home for a celebration and an opportunity to laugh and cry and celebrate the life of Martin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made either to a church or charity of your choice or to Itawamba Crossroads Ranch, a residential and vocational community where adults with special needs thrive for a lifetime. Donations to Itawamba Crossroads Ranch may be mailed to 716 Airport Road, Fulton, MS, 38843.

The funeral service honoring the life of Martin Triplett Richardson may be viewed below.  The memorial slideshow comprises the first 15 minutes 30 seconds with the funeral service to follow.  A special word of thanks to Premium Productions (www.premiumproductions.net) for their work recording the service.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Martin Triplett Richardson, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.