Velma Richard

Opelousas Funeral services for Mrs. Velma Cormier Lagrange Richard, age 80, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, with a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas. Interment will follow in the St. Charles Cemetery in Grand Coteau.
Rev. Msgr. Keith J. DeRouen will celebrate the Mass.
Velma was a native of Church Point and life long resident of Opelousas. She died at 8:55 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2010, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church and a member of the Ladies Altar Society, served as a Eucharistic Minister, and taught Catechism for many years.
Velma was a member of many community clubs and organizations. She enjoyed serving as President of those many clubs. She was a member of the Opelousas Garden Club and was a known accredited Landscape critic. For many years, she was the Chairwoman of the Garden Clubs Bal Masque and the Mayfest sponsored by Queen of Angels Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Bellevue Home Demonstration Club where she participated in many Floral Designing Competitions.
She and her first husband, Alduse Lagrange owned and operated Lagrange Villien Real Estate Co. with their partner, Jo Lynn.
She was an excellent homemaker and an accomplished seamstress. She was a fabulous cook and enjoyed cooking for others. Some of her favorite pastimes were fishing and the pleasure of cooking the catch of that day. Spending time visiting with her family whether it was her children, nieces, nephews, sisters, and brothers or her many friends was her greatest joy in her life. She was a wonderful and loving wife, and a very devoted mother, sister, aunt, friend, grandmother and greatgrandmother. She was a caring, nurturing person who influenced all whose lives she touched. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her husband of 19 years, Aldon Danny Richard of Opelousas one son, Michael Lagrange and wife, Peggy of Alexandria one daughter, Paula Lagrange Stevens of Lafayette one stepson, Danny Joe Richard and wife, Darla of Opelousas three stepdaughters, Dana R. Reed and husband, Jeff of Opelousas Jackie Richard Conques of Opelousas Jonalyn Soileau and husband, Bobby of Beggs one brother, John Albert Cormier and wife, Mary of Mesquite, TX three sisters: Margaret Briscoe of Mittie Glenda Cormier Williams of Lake Charles and Wilma Trahan and husband, Jerry of Crowley two grandchildren, Paul Lagrange and Erica Ashton three greatgrandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Alduse Lagrange her parents, Willie Cormier and Thrze Guidry Cormier and one brother, Alphonse Joseph Bob Cormier.
Pallbearers will be Paul Lagrange, Chris Cormier, Ben Williams, Larry Cormier, Jeff Cormier, and Danny Joe Richard. Honorary pallbearers will be John Cormier, Greg Cormier, David Briscoe, Douglas Briscoe, Brock Conques, Lance Conques, and Billy Trahan.
Visiting hours will be observed in the Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas on Monday, July 12, 2010, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. On Tuesday, visitation will continue in the funeral home from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.
A Rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday evening in the funeral home. On Tuesday, the Rosary Group will recite a Rosary at 8:30 a.m. in the funeral home.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks and appreciation for the loving care given to Velma and Danny during Velmas extended illness. They are Shirley Chautin, Judy Guidry, Dolores Devillier, Anita Papa, Juanita Sonnier, Patsy Pitre and the staff of Heart of Hospice.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.

Visitation

Sibille Funeral Home
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Monday, July 12, 2010
48 p.m.Tues. 8 9:30 a.m.

Service

Mass of Christian Burial

Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church
2125 S. Union St.
Opelousas, LA  70570
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
10:00 a.m.

Rosary Service

Sibille Funeral Home Chapel
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Monday, July 12, 2010
7:00 p.m.

Cemetery

St. Charles Cemetery
Grand Coteau, LA  70541