Carolyn Denise Richard, 85, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was born on February 9, 1939 in Creole, Louisiana to John Edward and Merillia Theriot.
As a new graduate of South Cameron High School, she married the love of her life, Donald, and together they raised six boys in the marshes of Grand Chenier. Following Hurricane Rita in 2005, they relocated to Sweet Lake where they made a new home in a new community. No matter the location, Carolyn was a dedicated Catholic, serving as a Catechetical Leader at St. Eugene Catholic Church until 2005, then an active parishioner of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church.
Her family was her greatest treasure. She cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren and watching them become parents to her great-grandchildren. On countless Friday nights, Carolyn could be found collecting blankets and egg-crate foam to create the perfect pallet for a sleepover.
Carolyn had a caring heart — her hands rarely still. In addition to caring for her family, she poured out love to numerous honorary children she gained working in the Cameron Parish School system for 37 years. She was a special lady that excelled at working with students with special needs. She wiped away tears, bandaged many knee scrapes, and no loose tooth was safe during her tenure in the classroom.
Those left to cherish her memory are six sons: John (Malinda) Richard of Sweet Lake, Gregory (Roxanna) Richard of Gueydan, Phillip (Michelle) Richard of Lake Arthur, Jeffery (Shari) Richard of Grand Chenier, Todd (Monica) Richard of Grand Lake, and Michael (Karen) Richard of Sweet Lake; and one brother, Winston (Joyce) Theriot of Portland, Oregon.
Carolyn was “Granny” to 15 grandchildren; Tiffany LeBlanc, Joby Richard, Serena Campbell, Chance Richard, James Richard, Brett Richard, Bailey Richard, Branson Richard, Becka Humphrey, Gage Richard, Jaden Richard, Briley Richard, Emilee Richard, Mika Richard, and Mary Richard; as well as 17 great-grandchildren whom she adored.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, James Donald Richard, her parents, and her brother, John Theriot.
The family wishes to thank Harbor Hospice for the care they provided in her final days.
Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles, LA on Sunday, May 19, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a rosary being recited at 6:30 PM. Visitation will resume Monday, May 20, 2024 from 9:00 AM until 12:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, May 20, 2024, at St. Martin de Pores Catholic Church, located in Lake Charles, LA. Monsignor James Gaddy, will officiate. Burial will follow funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, in Grand Chenier, LA under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.