Mrs. Shirley Richard

Obituary Shirley Richard Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church for Mrs. Shirley Mae Lewis Richard, 89, who entered eternal rest peacefully on October 11, 2016. Interment will follow the mass celebration at Bellevue Memorial Park. Shirley was born December 30, 1926 in Opelousas, LA. She was the seventh of eleven children born to the union of the late Beulah Sampay and Almond Lewis. She attended grammar, middle and high school at Holy Ghost Catholic School and later earned Degrees in Education from Southern University, in Baton Rouge, LA. and Texas Southern University in Houston, TX. Shirley married the love of her life, the late Walter “Boutte” Richard, Sr. on August 27, 1947. Through this union they were blessed with three sons, Walter Jr. (Deceased), Glenn and Eric. Shirley began her 40 year teaching career in 1946 as one of the first minority teachers in St. Landry Parish. Known for her kind and loving soul, her career began in a one room school located in Grand Prairie, LA. Over the years she fostered educational programming in the parish and devoted her career to first-grade elementary teaching touching the lives of all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. She retired from teaching on June 1, 1986 but remained active in education as well as numerous organizations. She was an active member of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Court #8, 4th Degree Ladies of Grace, The Drexel Society, National Association of University Women, and Carousel Social Club. Mrs. Reeshard, Ms. Richard, Cousin Shirley, Sis’, Shirley or most commonly Aunt Shirley and Mom… No matter the term of endearment, her caring spirit, tenderness and grace was a trademark to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her and she will forever be missed. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Almond and Beulah Lewis; her husband, Walter “Boutte” Richard Sr.; son, Walter Richard Jr.; stepson, Charles Boutte; grandson; Eric Tahj Richard, siblings Mildred Briscoe, Walter Lewis, Preston Lewis, Dorothy Lewis and Leroy Lewis. Shirley is survived in her loving memory by two sons, Glenn Richard (Sheila) and Eric Richard; stepson, Donald Comeaux; six grandchildren, Kelly (Rick), Shenequia (Thaddeus), Steven, Shannon, Ericka, and Katelyn; three great grandchildren, Addison, Blaison and Deja; four sisters, Ruby Boutte, Margaret Thibodeaux (Herman), Clara Donatto, and Verdie Jones; one brother Erition Lewis, Sr. (Tema) two daughters-in-law, Celina Richard, Ann Mouton and a host of extended family and friends. The family request that visitation be held from 5 to 9 PM, Friday, October 21, 2016 at Williams Funeral Home, and resume Saturday morning at 8 AM until time of service. Share words of comfort with the Richard family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.net Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Williams Funeral Home of Opelousas, 337-942-2037.

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Mrs. Shirley Richard

December 30, 1926 - October 11, 2016