Cristina Richerson

Today we hear the phrases “my forever Home”,“my forever friend,” and “my forever love” with the idea that the object of our affection will last for an endless period of time—permanently fixed and maintained in its high place. But as believers, we acknowledge the time and place where forever is truly forever. Forever never ends.

On May 25th, 2026 - Cristina Lauren Richerson stepped into “forever”. We believe the spirit of Cristina returned to the One who gave it and was received into eternity. Her body (her shell) remains resting until the trumpet sounds when the “Dead in Christ” shall rise first (1 Thes 4:16) Cristina will rise to meet Jesus in the air before any of us will. She will be transformed into an incorruptible, glorified body and will remain Forever Cristina.

Born February 18th, 1982 Cristina Lauren Sepulveda was born to Daniel & Christy Sepulveda in Long Beach, California. The younger and only sister to her brother, Salomon Sepulveda.

She spent her early years living in Long Beach, California until her family moved to Washington state in January 1990. She grew up living in a beautiful, mountainous community near Bellingham, Washington called Sudden Valley. She attended Gethsemane Apostolic Church in Everett, Washington. She sang soprano in the church’s traveling kids choir called “The King’s Kids” and sang all over the Pacific Northwest, and West Coast as far as Vancouver, British Columbia - Canada and as far south as Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Cristina was baptized on Christmas Day, 1995 after a beautiful Christmas Eve production at Bethel Christian Church in Seattle, Washington by her Pastor - Joshua Salomon.

After graduating from Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, Washington, Cristina earned both her high school diploma and a cosmetology license specializing in nail services. She then returned to Southern California, where she lived with her beloved Tia Claudia and Tio Ray in Riverside. Together they attended Fountain of Truth Church under the leadership of Pastor Sam Valverde.

In 2002, after the birth of her niece Victoria, Cristina returned to Washington to help care for her. Shortly thereafter, she enrolled at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, where she pursued Pre-Med studies with an emphasis in Holistic Health.

It was during this season of life that Cristina met Erik Richerson. What began as a long-distance relationship quickly grew into a deep and lasting love. They were married on May 24, 2008, at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and service. They served as youth leaders at Faith Heritage Church and as entrepreneurs launched their first business in Everett, Washington.

As their love grew, so did their family. Cristina's greatest joy became being a wife and mother. She welcomed her children, Judah Lee Richerson and Uriyah Daniela Richerson, whom she loved fiercely and prayed over faithfully.

In 2018, they attended a service at Pursuit NW in Snohomish, Washington to hear from a friend of Cristina’s by the name of Landon Schott. The Holy Spirit told them to move and follow him to Fort Worth, Texas. Immediately, they began making arrangements to sell their business and loaded their U-Haul trailer, packed up their kids and moved to Fort Worth in the summer of 2019 where they saw and became part of the vision of Mercy Culture Church. They served in worship, kids ministry, pastoral care, prayer, and the Justice Reform. Cristina also later became one of Pastor Heather’s intercessors.

In 2022, the day of the Mercy Culture Conference, a brain tumor erupted in Cristina’s head. Though diagnosed with the life expectancy of 8 to 12 months, she victoriously fought the battle of cancer for 4 years until Monday, May 25th - a day after her 18th Wedding anniversary when the Lord said she fought long enough. He called his daughter home at 5:30 pm when she closed her eyes for the last time on earth and opened them for the first time in Glory. It was the day she became Forever Cristina. And shall Reign with Him forever and ever!

Though cancer took her earthly body, it never touched her faith. Though death separated her from those she loved for a season, it could not separate her from the love of Christ. Today she is healed, whole, and in the presence of the King she faithfully served throughout her life. And one day, according to the promise of God, we will see her again.

Cristina was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Christy Sepulveda.

She is survived by her loving husband, Erik Richerson; her children, Judah Lee Richerson and Uriyah Daniela Richerson; her father, Daniel Sepulveda; her brother, Salomon Sepulveda Sr.; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, cherished friends, church family, and countless lives touched by her faith, kindness, prayers, and love.

While our hearts grieve her absence, we rejoice in the assurance that this is not goodbye. Cristina's story did not end on May 25, 2026, it simply entered into forever.

"And so shall we ever be with the Lord." — 1 Thessalonians 4:17

“Cristina Forever” - Written by Danene Salomon