Mable Ruth Richardson, 77, a resident of Malden, was born Jan. 10, 1927, in Painton, the daughter of the late Thomas Carl Cooper and Eliza Shaffer Cooper, and died Friday, March 26, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

On April 19,1952, she was united in marriage to Abner Driver Richardson at Piggott, Ark., and he preceded her in death on July 8, 1977.

She was a member of the Lynn Oak Baptist Church in Clarkton.

Survivors include three daughters, Kathy Hewitt, Janis Rackley, and Becky Pool, all of Malden; one son, Gary Cooper of Dexter; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by six sisters, Lucy Karnes, Vivian Faulkner, Jeanette Cooper, Opal Cooper, Gladys Newton, Alma Rhine; and three brothers, Paul Cooper, Buddy Cooper and Gordon Cooper.

Visitation will be after 6 p.m. today, Tuesday, March 30, 2004, at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2004, at Bradshaw Chapel in Malden with Rev. Jerry Richardson officiating.

Interment will follow at Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Clarkton.