Louella Leon Richard

Louella Leon Richard Rayne, LA - Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 1:00 pm in Gossen Funeral Home Chapel for Louella Leon Richard, 85, who passed away peacefully at her residence surrounded by family on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Interment will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery #2, Mausoleum in Rayne, LA. Pastor Terrell Reed of Amana Christian Fellowship in Maurice will conduct the funeral services. Her great nephew, Fr. Evan Hebert, will also offer prayers. Born on April 11, 1941, in Lafayette, Louisiana, Louella lived a life rooted in love, intelligence, quick wit, and quiet strength. She graduated at the top of her class at Rayne High School with honors and was given a full scholarship to SLI Moody Business School (UL). She worked for Bell South phone company in Crowley and the Acadia Parish library in Rayne before becoming a full-time dedicated mother to her children and wife to Donald Richard, Sr. for 60 years. Louella had a deep passion for genealogy and spent countless hours researching family history, preserving stories, and connecting generations. Through her work, she created a lasting legacy that will continue to guide and unite her family for years to come. She helped Father Donald J. Hebert write genealogy books connecting our Cajun heritage as far back as the 1400s. She loved cooking for her family and entertaining as she did so well for many years. She sang in the choir at Mire Assumption and was involved with the Catholic Daughters. She was a parishioner at Amana Church in Maurice and loved her fellowship that she had there. Louella especially loved French music and spoke fluent French. She learned English in the first grade because they were not allowed to speak French in school. She will be remembered for her loving heart, her resilience, and the care she gave so freely to those around her. Her presence brought comfort, and her wisdom and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. Louella was a caring, loving mother, strong-willed and could also forget her filter at times. The children and family always took priority over her personal needs. When dad was away working on the oil rigs which was nearly half our upbringing Mom would always step up to fill in. Mom carried a big stick (respect) and she knew how to use it if need be. She would even coach us at baseball practice when the coach couldn’t make it there. She loved fishing, crabbing and all things seafood. She was an excellent chef, and no one could ever cook like Louella. Louella leaves behind a legacy of love in her family, including her four children, Donald "Donny" Richard, Jr., Anthony “Tony” Richard and his wife Mary, Monica Fitzgerald and husband Jon, Andrea Richard Roche along with 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Ray Leon. She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Donald Richard Sr., parents, Louis Leon & Delia Owens Leon, her son, Billie Richard, her grandson, Anthony Michael Richard, her sisters, Patricia Gautreaux, Theresa Leger and one brother, Harry Leon. Louella Marie Leon Richard will be deeply missed and forever held in the hearts of those who loved her. Pallbearers will be Andrew Hebert, Ashton Roche', Julian Leon, Jonathan Hebert, Alexander Fitzgerald, Taggart Fitzgerald, and Everett Roche’. Louella's family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Hospice of Acadiana, Food for Love, and Louella's caregivers, Sandi Richard, Madeline Lyons, Crystal Judice, and Kim Hebert for the compassionate care, kindness, and support they provided throughout her journey. The family requests that visitation be observed in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, LA on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Memorial contributions can be made in Louella Leon Richard's name to Hospice of Acadiana. Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337) 334-3141.

Louella Leon Richard

April 11, 1941 - July 15, 2026