Gloria Jean Ryder

Gloria Jean Ryder, 84, passed away in Lake Charles, Louisiana on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. She was born on June 20, 1941, to Dudley and Elise Comeaux Richard in Lacassine, Louisiana.

While attending Lacassine High School, she met Kermit J. Ryder. After a couple of years of dating, they got married on Nov 1, 1959. Over the next few years they welcomed 3 sons, Randy in 1960, Vic in 1962 and Troy in 1963. Early in their marriage they moved their family to Lake Charles.

Jean was a stay-at-home mom, where she raised her 3 boys. After raising her boys, she began a career as an Office Assistant with Cagle Chevrolet, Bolton Ford and St Margaret’s Catholic Church. After leaving St Margarets in 2013, she moved to Benton, Ar. to live with her son Vic. She continued living with him and his family until she moved back to Lake Charles in 2023 as a resident of The Verandah. She was devout member of St. Margarets Catholic Church and a member of The Carmelites, where she enjoyed the trips and adventures she went on with this special group of ladies. She will always be remembered as someone who loved her family and friends, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all her nieces and nephews.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Vic Ryder and wife Charlotte of Alexander, AR, Randy Ryder and wife Donna of Inlet Beach, FL; her daughters, Trisha Ryder (wife of her late son Troy) of Magnolia, TX, and Tracee Hebert of Moss Bluff, LA; and her last remaining sibling, her sister, Sherral Vincent of Lake Charles, LA; eight grandchildren, Chris Ryder, Alison Griffin, Aaron Ryder, Erika Henthrone, Dawson Ryder, Emily Ryder, Jessica Broussard, and Alexis LaFleur; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kermit J. Ryder; her son, Troy Ryder; her parents Dudley and Elise Richard; her sister, Ruth Racca; and her brothers, Alfred Richard, and Nelson Richard.

Jean’s funeral will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake Street with Msgr. Jace Eskind presiding. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be at the funeral home on the evening of Monday, February 23 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with a rosary to be recited at 6:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the start of the service.

Our family would like to say thank you to all the family members who took the time to visit Jean in her final days. And a very special thank you to Trena Stebbins for being with and comforting her in her final moments. Also thank you to Harbor Hospice for the care they provided in her final days.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to be made to The Alzheimer’s Association in her name.