Sis. Joyce Marie Gilbert Richard

Sis. Joyce Marie Gilbert Richard, age 75, a native of Erath, La., resident of Jeanerette, LA., died Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 8:20 PM at Dauterive Hospital in New Iberia, LA. Visitation will be at First Jerusalem Baptist Church, 835 Monnot Road in Jeanerette, La., Saturday, June 23, 2012 from 7:00 AM until funeral service at 11:00 AM. She will be lead to rest in the Hope Cemetery. Sis Joyce Marie Gilbert Richard was born to the late Felix Gilbert and Mary O'Brien on August 8, 1936 in Erath, La. She was a faithful member of the Morning Pilgrim Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Charles Moncriffe, where she served faithfully until the time of her death. Mrs. Joyce was President of the Usher Board, Treasury of the Gospel Choir, Member of the Mission Board and Pastor Aid, a past member of the Eastern Star and President of the Children Youth Choir for over 10 years. Her joy in life was her family, cooking, feeding and taking care of everyone in need whom she came in contact with. She was joined in Holy Matrimony to Abraham Richard and to this union eighteen children were introduce into the world. Joyce leaves to cherish many many memories; six sons, Cleveland (Audrey)Gilbert of Granger, Ind., Abraham (Laura) Gilbert, Sr., Felix (Molly) Richard, Sr., and Glenn Gilbert, Sr., all of Jeanerette, La; Larry (Janet) Richard and Carl (Ava) Richard, Sr., both of New Iberia, La; three sons she reared; Rev. Dr. Darren Sophus of New Iberia, La., Edward Roane and John Paul Thompson both of Jeanerette, La; nine daughters, Mrs. Rita (Clarence) Fusilier of Abbeville, La., Mrs. Linda (Dennis) Clarke, Mrs. Brenda (Perry) Batiste, Mrs. Elizabeth (Xavier) Moten, Shirley Richard, Mary Ann Richard, Gloria Richard and Stacy Richard all of Jeanerette, La., and Mrs. Joyce Ann (T-Otis) Andrus of New Iberia, La; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Judy (Albert) Lively of Jeanerette, La; two brothers, Edward (Luda) Green of Erath, La., and Marshall Briggs of Houston, TX; two sisters, Beatrice Boudreaux and Mary Lena Viltz both of Abbeville, La; fifty-three grandchildren, sixty-five great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Felix Gilbert, Sr. and Mary O'Brien, and her husband, Abraham Richard, two sons, Donald Richard and Solomon Richard, one daughter, Bertha Richard, two sisters, Mary Hildra Guidry and Della Green, four brothers, Austin Green, Logie Gilbert, Felix Gilbert, Jr., and Clarence Green.