Melinda Phyllis Richey

Melinda Knight Richey of Nederland passed away quietly December 29 surrounded by her loving family at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. She was a 69-year resident of the Golden Triangle. Born in 1948 to Helen Medford Knight and Leonard Rogers Knight, she attended Thomas Jefferson High School where she was a member of the band and dance team. She graduated from Lamar University and was a clarinetist in the Cardinal Band. After graduation she married and had three children, and later began working at Helena Park Elementary where she taught second and third grade until 2012. Melinda was noted for her imagination and creativity. In addition to her clarinet she was an accomplished pianist and sang in several choral groups. Her amazing costumes for everything from ballet recitals to choral performances to school programs made her in demand for help with such productions. Halloween costumes designed and put together by Mindy were always spectacular. With her sense of humor, she was a fun, playful person to be around and her house was open to neighborhood children who cherished her advice and unwavering acceptance of them. She was an avid reader, especially of science fiction. Future scientific developments were a lifelong fascination for her. She also read two daily papers from cover to cover and never considered a day begun until she had finished the crossword puzzle. Mindy loved nature and followed in the footsteps of her parents and grandparents who were all bird-watchers, arborists, and gardeners. But her special concern was cats, especially those who were lost or suffering. She leaves behind five of her own cats and one who was trying to adopt her. All of them will be forlorn without her. The real sunshine of her life in recent years has been her three granddaughters, Emma Beller, 13, Alison Beller, 5, and Sarah Jane Richey, 5. She was so proud of them. Besides her grandchildren, Melinda is survived by son Devon Richey and wife Beth of Vidor, son Colin Richey and wife Christa of West Orange, and daughter Lauren Richey Beller of New Braunfels. Her only sibling, Beth Ann Knight McGaffey and her husband Thomas of Dallas, survive her. She leaves behind six nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 5:00 p.m., at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the no-kill cat shelter All Gods Creatures, 13695 Thousand Oaks, Beaumont, TX 77713, or other animal rescue groups.