Our History

In 1901, Alex Richardson founded Richardson Funeral Home—the first funeral home in Texarkana to serve the African American community.  After Alex Richardson’s death, his daughter, Emma Richardson Jones, continued the business.  Her three sons, Elbert T. Jones, John E. Jones, and Roland F. Jones joined their mother in the business.

While Emma, Elbert, and John provided excellent funeral services for the community, Emma’s husband, Theron, helped strengthen its educational infrastructure as the principal of Dunbar High School from 1927 until his death in 1935.  In honor of Theron Jones’ commitment to education, the Texarkana Independent School District renamed Fifteenth Street Elementary Theron Jones Elementary and, later, Theron Jones Literacy Center. 

After Emma’s death, Elbert T. Jones, John E. Jones, and Roland F. Jones ran the business until John’s death.  And after John’s death, Elbert and Roland ran the business until they retired.  Substantial changes came in April 2001, when Patrick Hill bought and renamed the funeral home Richardson Hill Funeral Home. 

The year 2002 was the dawn of Richardson Hill Funeral Home.  At this time, Patrick Hill took it through its first remodel: the chapel, front lobby, restrooms, and offices.  In addition, Mr. Hill purchased some of the properties adjacent to the funeral home, which improved its market share.  To increase its notoriety, the new motto became “We Strive for Perfection.”

In 2010, Patrick Hill decided it was time for a real change, so he began an extensive remodel of the building.  This major reconstruction features beautiful color schemes, elegant flooring, a welcoming service center, handicap accessible restrooms, professionally designed offices, a stylish conference room, a tasteful casket selection room, a re-designed chapel (The Lighthouse Chapel (Guidance in Troubled Waters)), and a new chapel (The Serenity Chapel)—both with plush seating and high-definition flat screen televisions.  Mr. Hill also developed the adjacent properties, which increased the parking availability and amplified the lighting in the area.

Richardson Hill Funeral Home is still engaged in various pioneering efforts.  From pre-arranging, to advertising, to doing community outreach, to serving families from various backgrounds—regardless of race or color, Richardson Hill funeral Home is a modern-day trendsetter. 

We have a new, improved state-of-the-art facility with high-tech audio/visual equipment, fine furnishings, beautiful décor, a caring, experienced, and professional staff, and sophisticated—yet comfortable—accommodations.  Although we have many splendid past and future changes, we still strive for perfection as we ensure the realization of our new motto, “We Are All About Service.”