Venus L. Randolph

Venus was born on December 21, 1930, in Batesville, Arkansas, to Benjamin Harrison Ball and Susie Irene Dorsett Ball. She loved her parents dearly and spoke of them often, carrying their values and love with her always. She grew up surrounded by faith, family, and the small-town traditions that shaped her into the kind, joyful soul so many knew and loved. She attended Batesville High School, where she formed lifelong friendships and spent her teenage years as a cheerleader. Before starting her family, Venus worked for the local phone company, operating the switchboard — a role well suited to her gentle southern voice and kind demeanor.

Venus married Tom Randolph on May 10, 1974, after meeting at the United Pentecostal Church in Clute, Texas, and together they shared nearly 52 years of marriage, raising their family and creating a lifetime of cherished memories.

(Earlier in life, she was married to Tommy Jenkins, the father of her daughters Susan Stone and Cheryl Jenkins. After his tragic early passing, Venus earned her real estate license and briefly worked as an agent before building a beautiful new chapter of love and companionship with Tom.)

Her greatest passions were her faith, her family, and serving others. She was actively involved in the United Pentecostal Church throughout her life and always had faith in God, living as an example of grace and devotion. After the children were grown, Venus gave back to her church as a dedicated volunteer, serving as church secretary for six years without pay. She participated in two pilgrimages to Israel and later visited Italy with close friends; over the years she also enjoyed traveling to many other places, both across the United States and abroad.

Though Venus was undeniably beautiful, her elegance was effortless. With her classic taste and timeless style, she was always perfectly put together without ever trying too hard. She wore many of the same pieces for decades yet always looked polished and graceful. Her sweet southern charm, quiet confidence, and natural beauty shone through— a reflection of her heart and spirit more than anything she wore.

In her later years, as Venus faced health challenges, her devoted husband Tom lovingly cared for her with patience and compassion. Through it all, she maintained her joyful spirit, sweet smile, and gentle southern accent, continuing to inspire those around her with her strength and positivity.

Being “Mimi” was one of Venus’s greatest joys. Within the family, her mother was

lovingly known as “Mom,” and Venus became “Mother” — but to her grandchildren and so many others, she was Mimi, a name that carried endless love. As the heart and matriarch of the family, her influence reached through her children, their children, and beyond. She had a gift for making everyone feel deeply loved and special, whether by birth or by bond, and her warmth and kindness will continue to ripple through generations.

Venus is survived by her loving husband, Tom Randolph; her three children, Susan Stone, Cheryl Jenkins, and Kelly Randolph; along with numerous extended family members and friends who loved her dearly. She is preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin Harrison Ball and Susie Irene Dorsett Ball, and her first husband, Tommy Jenkins.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Brookside Funeral Home & Memorial Park in Houston, Texas. • Visitation & Lunch: 12:00 PM • Service: 2:00 PM • Burial: 3:00 PM. The service will feature “Son of God,” a cherished poem written in the 1960s by her mother, Irene Ball.

In a touching reflection of life’s symmetry, Venus entered this world at 5:00 PM and was pronounced at 5:45 PM on the day she left it — a poetic reminder of a life beautifully and gracefully completed.