An original stockholder of Barkley Lake Broadcasting Company, later dubbed WKDZ-FM, and a native of Cadiz, Carolyn Ray Campbell Richardson died Sunday, May 11, at Lowcountry Community Hospice House in Summerville, South Carolina.
She was 80 years old.
She and Cerulean native Wilburn “Willie” Wilson were the last remaining survivors of a brain trust that included Virginia Alexander, Joe B. Clement, Mrs. A. K. Goodwin, James D. Hayes, Ruth Humphries, Robert L. Meadows, Prentice Oliver and John Woodruff — who, in 1966, had enough forethought to bring more radio news options to south western Kentucky.
And like all the others in that prescient posse, Richardson remained more than busy with civic life in Cadiz and Hopkinsville — before venturing forth into other family and career opportunities.
In a January 4, 1973, report from The Cadiz Record, it was noted that Richardson, then 28 years old, became the Trigg County Schools first-ever board chairwoman, and was possibly the first in such a position in all of west Kentucky. She served alongside Vice-Chairman Charles Dawson and members Kelly P’Pool, James R. Guess Jr., and R.C. Stallons.
At the time of this appointment, she was already engaged in the Trigg County Heart Fund as its chairwoman, the Retail Merchants Committee, the WKDZ Board of Directors, the BPW Civic Club as its chairwoman, the Governor’s Commission for Exceptional Children, the Woman’s Auxiliary Pennyrile Medical Society, a two-year delegate to the Woman’s Auxiliary Kentucky Medical Association, the chairwoman for the Cadiz-Trigg County Sesquicentennial, and the chairwoman of the Cadiz-Trigg County Library Drive.
She was also already a wife to Dr. William N. Richardson and mother to a son, Blane, who was 2.5 years old, with a home in Woodlawn Estates and a concerted membership to Cadiz United Methodist Church.
In 1975, she and former Judge Chappell Wilson were two of several Trigg Countians responsible for Cadiz being named an “All-Kentucky City” — in what was a mark of Outstanding Achievement in Community Development by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Cadiz earned similar honors in 1972 and 1974.
In 1978, she resigned her Trigg County Schools board post, one filled by the late Chappel Allen, and the family moved Oklahoma — where she became the public relations consultant for the State Commissioner of Agriculture. After a fall 1981 transfer to Michigan, where she hunkered into several roles with Cranbook Middle School, she followed her husband’s 1992 death by accepting a position as KET’s marketing director in Lexington.
A Timeline Of Carolyn Richardson’s Life
🍼 1944
Born in Cadiz, Kentucky to Weldon Ray and Rosina Blane Campbell.
🎓 Early 1960s
Attended school in Trigg County, before graduating from Gulf Park Preparatory School in Gulfport, Mississippi.
🎓 Mid-1960s
Earned a degree in Radio, Television, and Film from the University of Kentucky.
Helped found Barkley Lake Broadcasting Co. (WKDZ) during her senior year and worked there after graduation.
💍 1966
Married Dr. William N. “Nat” Richardson on September 7.
Moved frequently due to Dr. Richardson’s military service, including a tour in Vietnam, while spending some time stationed at Fort Campbell.
🏡 1969
The family returned to Cadiz, settling into community life.
👶 1970
Welcomed son, W. Blane Richardson.
💼 1972
Elected to the Trigg County Board of Education, serving as chairman for two terms.
Began involvement in state and national education organizations.
💼 1971–1974
Served as Public Relations and Marketing Director for Trigg County Farmers Bank.
🌟 1973
Named Trigg County “Woman of the Year” and runner-up Kentucky “Woman of the Year.”
🚀 1974–1978
Founded and operated Communications Unlimited, a public relations and advertising firm.
🛫 1978
Moved to Oklahoma, working as Public Relations Consultant to the State Commissioner of Agriculture.
🏫 1981–1984
Relocated to Michigan.
Became a founding member of the Cranbrook School Athletic Booster Club and served as Admissions Director at Cranbrook Middle School.
💔 1992
Lost her beloved husband, Dr. Nat Richardson.
📺 Post-1992
Returned to Kentucky, joining KET (Kentucky Educational Television) in Lexington as Marketing Director, where she concluded her career.
🏌️♀️ Retirement Years
Lived in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina near her son and grandchildren.
Enjoyed golf, community life, and being “Gan” to her grandchildren.
Lifelong fan of the Kentucky Wildcats.
May 11, 2025
Died at age 80 at Lowcountry Community Hospice House in Summerville, South Carolina.
