Loretta Parker Richards
Loretta Parker Richards, 81, of Port Neches, Texas passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones.
At under 5′ tall, Loretta might have been short in stature, but she more than made up for her lack of height with her BIG personality. She would do anything it took to make people laugh. Some may remember her riding in her great-grandchildren’s Barbie jeep, zooming down the bounce house slide, participating in food fights in the Pompano staff kitchen, or showing off her “interesting” cactus clown. You may even have been lucky enough to have caught her dancing in the passenger seat on road trips or have received one of her singing voicemail messages. Sometimes all it took was hearing her boisterous laugh that would give anyone a fit of giggles.
Loretta prided herself on being a hard worker. She worked at The Pompano Club for forty-three years. Patrons knew her as the face of The Pompano, ready to greet you with her beautiful smile and her cloud of Obsession perfume. If she wasn’t working at The Pompano Club, you could probably catch her working in her jungle-like yard, possibly wearing her nightgown. Loretta had quite the green thumb and would frequently take clippings of plants wherever she went.
Loretta was always willing to lend a helping hand, whether you requested aid or not… Just ask her neighbors who returned from work to find their garage door painted, their grass cut, and a brand-new flower bed, courtesy of Loretta. As much as she loved people, she loved animals more. She rescued any and every animal she came across, including dogs, cats, parrots, cockatiels, raccoons, and even a squirrel (later named Jonathan). The neighborhood dogs loved the daily treats she’d stick through the fence and would come running every time she would walk outside.
Loretta excelled at many things. Oil painting, cake decorating, cooking, baking, and shopping were some of her many talents. Where she really was able to shine was as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Loretta won an award for her artwork, multiple cooking and baking competitions, and Mother of the Year in 2019. She left behind many happy memories, works of art, recipes, and dogs.
Live a life like Loretta – laugh loudly, pet all the animals, and always leave room for dessert.
Loretta is survived by her husband of fifty-nine years, Jerry Richards; children, Darrin and wife, Janis Richards, and Denise and husband, Mick Stephens; sister, Sue Starr; grandchildren, Amanda and husband, Paul Gomez, Brandon Block, Catherine Block, Lindsey and husband, Cody Eldridge, and Lauryn and husband, Tim Smith; great grandchildren, Andrew Lakey, Parker Gomez, Kaydence Block, Kobe Balsamo, Hayden Wallace, Jaxon Garsee, Avery Garsee, Levi Smith, and Emerson Eldridge; and great-great-grandchildren, Waylon and Weston Lakey.
Loretta is preceded in death by her parents, R.A. and Thelma Parker; siblings, Linda and Gary Parker; and son, David Block.
The family would like to thank Adela Prado, Tiffany Crosby, and Ivony Garcia for their excellent care of not only Loretta, but the entire family. Thanks to the staff of Professional Home Health Care and Hospice for their care and attention.
In true Loretta fashion, a Celebration of Life will be scheduled for a later date.
Her cremation arrangements will be handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland.
I just found out that you have passed on, Loretta. I know that my mom and you have already met up on the other side. I can hear your laugh still. My mother’s oldest childhood friend. My condolences to your family. Rest in peace.
I worked 10 years with Miss Loretta at the pompano club she was very kind very sweet she always had a smile on her face and you will be dearly missed I love you Ms Loretta God bless you and your family
My sincere condolences to Loretta’s family. I knew her from years of going to the Pompano. She was a beautiful person inside and out. She always had that beautiful smile for everyone she greeted. She brought joy to those she met.
I am going miss you so much loretta.
We had so much we were riding in the car .have fun with mom and dad and you can laugh and tell jokes.
Love you aunt loretta
Oh Mrs. Loretta – how often I have thought of you over the years. You were such a bright light for the years I worked at the Pompano with you. There was never a dull moment and we shared may of laughs. And the stories you would tell! Rest in Peace.
My deepest condolences to the family. I hadn’t seen Loretta in many years, but she was very kind to me when I was a teenager. I was fortunate enough to see her a few times over the years as an adult and was able to tell her how much her kindness had meant to me. Rest in Peace sweet lady.
My thoughs and prayers are with the Richards family during this time of loss and sorrow. Loretta was a beautiful and wonderlul lady with a smile and always a good word. We always looked forward to seeing her at the Pompano, she made everyone feel important and welcome. Rest in peace pretty lady we all will miss you.