Winona Lea Richardson Horton, affectionately known as “Topsy” and lovingly called “Aunt Top” by her family, passed away on October 28, 2026 at the age of 94. Born July 14, 1932 in Holly Grove, Texas, she was the daughter of James Pinkney and Nellie Mae Richardson.
Winona graduated from Big Sandy High School as senior class salutatorian in 1948 and was voted “Most Popular Girl.” She earned a diploma in Executive Secretarial from Piney Wood Business College on June 1, 1950. Independent and hardworking from a young age, she rode into Livingston and waited tables on weekends as a teenager and later enjoyed a career with the Texas Highway Department, from which she retired.
On January 14, 1951, Winona married Franklin R. “Frank” Horton, beginning a marriage that would span more than 45 years. During Frank’s career as an oil and gas geologist, they made their homes in Midland, Fort Worth, and Houston. Among their adventures together was a shared enjoyment of racing MG convertibles in West Texas.
When Frank developed multiple sclerosis, Winona cared for him faithfully as his condition progressed, demonstrating the devotion and strength that characterized so much of her life. Following his death in 1996, she returned to Livingston to live with her mother, affectionately known as “Mema.” She regularly attended First Baptist Church in Livingston.
Family was at the heart of Aunt Top’s life. She shared an especially close bond with her younger brother and only sibling, Charles M. Richardson Sr., with whom she spoke every single evening. Family gatherings were made sweeter by her homemade dumplings. She had a particular fondness for Coca-Cola, powdered doughnuts, and making a wonderful cup of hot cocoa which her family loved. She also enjoyed watching baseball on television.
Although Aunt Top and Uncle Frank had no children of their own, their love and influence extended across generations of nieces and nephews. They placed tremendous value on education, hard work, independence, and the importance of family supporting one another. Through encouragement and generosity, they helped create opportunities for their nieces and nephews, believing that each generation should become self-sufficient, build meaningful lives, and carry forward the responsibility of helping others.
To generations of family members, Aunt Top was like another grandmother. Her love extended just as warmly to those who married into the family; to her, they were family in every sense of the word.
Winona is survived by her brother, Charles M. Richardson Sr.; nieces, Robin Richardson and Paulette Steen; nephew, Charles M. Richardson Jr.; great-nephews, Jeremy Richardson, James Richardson Jr., and Ricky Steen; great-nieces, Jennifer Baldwin and Heather Steen; and her beloved great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews. She is also survived by cousins Walter Knebel, Butch Rhodes, Rodney Rhodes, Sue Edge, and Faye Cain.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Horton; her parents, James Pinkney and Nellie Mae Richardson; and her nephew, James Richardson Sr.
Aunt Top will be remembered for her faith, independence, generosity, and faithful devotion to family. Her greatest legacy lives not only in the memories she leaves behind, but also in the generations whose lives were enriched by her love and encouragement.
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas. Interment will follow at Holly Grove Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be John Baldwin, Luke Richardson, Jack Baldwin, Ethan Richardson, Caleb Richardson and Ricky Steen. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremy Richardson, James Richardson, Brandon Knebel and Walter “Bo” Knebel.
Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign the online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com.
