Clarissa Richardson; former deputy sheriff, PTC worker

"THERE ARE times in our lives when we come across angels. Angels that God almost strategically placed in our lives to be our guiding light and our voice of reason when our days seem cloudy. I have grown to believe that my great-grandmother is all of the above and much more."

This touching tribute to her great-grandmother was written by Morgan Martin in April as a class assignment at Virginia State University, where Morgan attends.

"She has been blessed with a gift that enables her to warm any heart and soul and brighten up any day," Morgan wrote.

Clarissa Richardson, the first black deputy sheriff in Philadelphia, the first black woman subway cashier for the old Philadelphia Transportation Co. (PTC), a civic leader, a devoted churchwoman and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died of cancer July 10. She was 89 and lived in North Philadelphia.

She was born to Lillian and Clarence Watson in Norfolk, Va. The family came to Philadelphia and Clarissa attended the Philadelphia High School for Girls. She graduated with honors and studied business at the Berean Institute.

Clarissa worked for the PTC, which became SEPTA, for 35 years. She was active with the Transport Workers Union's Transportation Committee Leadership Council.

She was active in her community, where she was "an advocate for neighbors," her family said, as well as a poll worker at elections.

Clarissa joined North Penn Baptist Church at 2419 N. 27th St. at age 9, and remained an active member for more than 60 years.

She was president of the Senior Choir and Trustee Board, and was available for any job the church needed doing.

Her favorite hymn was "Great Is Thy Faithfulness:"

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness,

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

For 20 years, Clarissa attended the annual Musicians and Ministers Conference in Hampton, Va., and vacationed at Roanoke Rapids, N.C.

She and some friends founded a fellowship of women called "The Friendly Birthday Girls Club." Members traveled around the country and the world.

In her earlier years, she was a member of the Eastern Star.

Clarissa's great-granddaughter wrote that one of the characteristics she admired in her was her ability to "connect with any generation."

"There is a touch of universality to her demeanor that no other 90-year-old possesses. She understands the struggle that both her and her peers share, and at the same time, can relate to a child's struggle with society and their emotions."

Morgan related that one of her great-grandmother's favorite sayings was, "We are not at peace until we put our pieces together."

"The angel that God strategically placed in my life has not only been my voice of reason but my guiding light," Morgan wrote. "Times when I was so unsure of myself and my next step in life, she was there to inspire me, not only with her words but with her warm heart and soul."

One of Morgan's regrets was that she and her great-grandmother never got together for the lunch they kept promising each other.

"She gave me a sun hat that she used to wear when she was younger," Morgan wrote. "Hopefully I can wear it when we go out to lunch soon."

Clarissa was married to Charles Allen Richardson, who predeceased her. She is survived by a son, Dallas Watson; a daughter, Ruby F. Palmer; 12 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren.

Services: Were Friday.