Mitrice Richardson’s Life Is Celebrated at Private Family Services

• Sermon Calls for ‘Vast Army of God’ to Be Drafted in the War for Accountability and Justice

BY ANNE SOBLE

On Saturday, family and close friends filled the New Testament Church of Christ in South Central Los Angeles to celebrate the life and mourn the death of Mitrice Richardson, who had been missing for eleven months before her remains were discovered three weeks ago in the dense chaparral of the Malibu area mountains.

The white and gold coffin was covered with a large spray of multi-hued roses and was surrounded by copious arrangements of more multi-colored flowers evoking the rainbow theme that many family members associate with Richardson.

FUNERAL SERVICES—Family members and close friends gathered at New Testament Church of Christ in South Central Los Angeles to celebrate the life of Mitrice Richardson and pledge to “make things better in the world.”	CALL TO ACTION—Pastor Robert Hendricks told the congregation that “the journey is not over.” He exhorted everyone to work for “accountability, integrity and justice” for Mitrice Richardson.

There were so many magnificent stargazer lilies in the arrangements that their lush fragrance filled the air, enhancing the backdrop for video photomontages of the vivacious 24-year-old honors college graduate from infancy to her Cal State Fullerton commencement in 2008.

In the photos, there is one constant, the radiant smile that speaker after speaker described as emblematic of the upbeat personality and joy for living that Richardson embodied.

Those who came to say farewell ranged in age from newborn to Mitrice’s 92-year-old great-grandmother Mildred Harris, with whom Richardson lived before she disappeared last Sept. 17 in the now familiar story of her booking and release from the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station with no money, cell phone or transportation just after midnight in a remote area she had never been in before.

The services were visceral farewells for deeply religious family members who waved their arms in the air and praised their Lord aloud during sermons and speeches.

It was also a rallying cry to action by Pastor Robert Hendricks, of the church where the young woman was part of the youth ministry, who said, “The search for Mitrice is now over, but the journey is not over.”

Proclaiming, “Mitrice’s blood still cries out on the ground,” he said, “A vast army of God [is charged with] bringing accountability, integrity and justice.”

He added, “All of us are just a breakdown away. But for $89...would those involved have done this to their own daughters?”

“We are our brother’s keeper. We have an obligation to each other and must be committed to justice.” Hendricks said this should be the goal of every community.

The dead woman’s mother, Latice Sutton, her stepfather, Larry Sutton—who helped to raise her, and her 12-year-old sister, Miiah, were comforted by a strong circle of relatives and longtime friends.

Among those who attended the services was Moe Dubois, whose own teenage daughter was murdered. He now is a missing persons advocate and assisted with field searches near the area where Mitrice Richardson’s remains were found Aug. 9 by state park rangers.

Congressmember Maxine Waters, who championed the missing woman’s cause on the federal level, was among those who spoke to the congregation.

Waters said what happened to Mitrice Richardson was a “never again moment. Never again should we release someone without their belongings, and never again should we release someone alone at that hour.”

Waters said her staff will “continue in the quest to find out the truth” about how Richardson died.

Speaker after speaker extolled the bright and attractive beauty pageant competitor who had just earned teaching credentials to use while she pursued a doctorate in psychology.

Uniformed ushers went up and down the pews handing out boxes of tissues for the tears that flowed freely. At times they were tears of joy, but at other times, they reflected a deep and profound grief.

One of Richardson’s “favorite uncles,” Malcolm Wade, roused the crowd when he said, “Those who say God put a period after Mitrice’s name are wrong. It is a coma, and it is up to everyone here to complete the story [for] when we see her later.”

Attending alone in the background was Jeff Peterson, the owner of Geoffrey’s restaurant, who said he does not understand how his staff’s concern for a troubled woman went the way it did at the Lost Hills Station and she is dead.

After the ceremony, he said, “I thought the service was a beautiful celebration of her life. I was deeply honored to have been invited to share that moment with her family” after he telephoned them to express condolences.

Richardson was interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery under a bright blue sky. There was a gentle breeze. Her mother and her 12-year-old sister released several dozen beautiful butterflies, symbolizing that they and Mitrice Richardson are now free.