Velma Richard

Mary Velma Richard (86) was born on March 14, 1928 in Ames, Texas to the late Jules Mallet, Jr. and Alice Broussard Mallet. She was a longtime, faithful member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church where she was a member of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Court #164 for 42 years. She was one of the founding members of the St. John Comfort Committee, and former chair of St. John’s Mardi Gras Krewe. She worked at Cresthaven Nursing Home and retired from the Port Arthur Independent School District as a Teachers Aide.

On December 30, 1947, Velma married Paul C. Richard, Sr. To this union four children were born. Velma and Paul were married 55 years before God called Paul home on January 13, 2002.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Lester and Melvin Mallet, sisters Verdell Evans, Lucy Mayes, and Laura Mitchell, and grandson Renaldo Richard, Jr.

Cherishing her memory are her daughters Juliana Barnes and Bridget Green and her sons Paul Richard, Jr. and Renaldo Richard, Sr., all of Port Arthur; 7 grandchildren: Deadra Thomas, Jules Barnes III (Melody), Jana Barnes, Sonya Green, Freyah Richard, Valerie Kinlaw (Thomas), and Amber Randolph (Earl); 12 great-grandchildren: Ariana Thomas, Dorian Chatman, Dyron Chatman, Jacolbe Richard, Darian Chatman, Brooklynn Barnes, Jalen Lapoint, Alayna Green, Kyndal Barnes, Donald Fowler III, Zion Paul Richard and Jules Barnes IV; sisters Barbara Calhoun (Houston, TX) and Jacqueline Delahoussaye (Charles) of Ames, Texas; brothers Rudolph Mallet (Ames, TX) and Harold Mallet (Berna) of Fremont, CA; sister-in-law Martha Washington (Houston, TX), and long-time friend Joyce Thompson, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 14, 2015, 8:00 am to 10:00 am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 620 53rd Street, Port Arthur (El Vista), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am, Father Mark Thomas Ameh, MSP, officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Gabriel Funeral Home.