Velma Lois Barras

On August 24, 2023, the light in the world became a little dimmer when Velma Lois Barras, 87, of Nederland, TX entered her eternal life. Velma was born to Olive Gladys Stansbury Spell and Lawrence Spell on April 27, 1936, in Crowley, Louisiana; the start of their family of five that included her sister, Laura Spell, and brother, Lawrence “Junior” Spell. The family later moved to Texas, but Velma never forgot her Cajun roots. She loved Zydeco music and served as Parliamentarian for the Golden Triangle Chapter of the Cajun French Music Association. She worked for Gulf Consolidating where she retired as a clerk.

Velma was an active member within the community. As a devout Catholic she was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Port Neches where she served on several committees including the bereavement committee, served as Treasurer, and was a Eucharistic Minister. In 2019 she was awarded the Deacon Drummond Volunteer of the Year Award for 30 years of service. At The Medical Center of SE Texas, she crocheted beanies/baby hats and booties for the newborns in the hospital. She served food at the Hospitality Center weekly and would provide rideshares for those at a local nursing home that wanted to attend mass.

She was gentle and wise. Her mind was as sharp as a tack. She could remember what she was wearing 30 plus years ago and could enthrall you with stories of the past. She was the family’s historical reference guide. She could slyly throw out a great sarcastic one liner that could make you deeply laugh. She was fiercely independent and still enjoyed her social outings. There was rarely a family event she did not attend. She had a sweet tooth and would at times eat dessert before her dinner so she could enjoy what she loved most first. There is no doubt that she is sharing one her favorites with her family and friends who have been patiently waiting for her.

Passionate. If you ever held a conversation with Velma, passionate is one of the first words that comes to mind. She was passionate in her beliefs, her family, her friends, and her hobbies. She could take random plant clippings and turn them into a plant fit for a greenhouse. It would be easy to call her a plant lady, but she really was our “plant lady.” If there was a question or if there was a plant on the fritz, she knew how to bring it back to life and make it flourish. She loved her plants. She found the beauty of nature astounding and relished in its life. Her other hobbies included her family favorite tradition of her Halloween popcorn balls. She loved knitting and crocheting and shared this craft with her daughter, Kerri Babineaux. She made these incredible pot scrubbers that would give Scrub Daddy sponges a run for their money. If Shark Tank had been around the Nederland area, we might see a familiar face in our local stores. She knitted coasters that are waterproof and don’t leave water rings…I mean, how? It’s just yarn, right? When asked, she would just smile and laugh. The passion followed through in her social life to include her love for clogging and line dancing with her friends. She had a love for travel that she shared with her loving husband of 38 years, Ronald “Jean” Barras, and her family.

Velma was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, caretaker, and friend. Family meant everything to her; and even if you weren’t family by blood, she treated you as if you were. For Velma, there was no such thing as an outsider. She welcomed everyone and always made you feel as if you truly belonged. She sent out cards to everyone for each holiday—birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas cards, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day. She never missed one for anybody because people were important to her. Because of this, she made friends wherever she went. Throughout her life she led by example, whether that was through her community outreach, her devotion to family, or her passion and vigor for life.

Her spirit, love, and joy for life is carried on by her beloved family, friends, and the numerous people Velma has impacted over her lifetime. Velma, we are all better in our lives because we were given the gift to know and love you. Until we meet again…

She is survived by her husband of thirty-eight years, Ronald “Jean” Barras; daughter, Kerri Babineaux; four step-children, Stephanie Plant, Ronnie Barras and his wife Phyllis, Anne Hanks and her husband, Kevin, Jeff Barras and his wife Terri; grandchildren Wendi Kemp, Nikki Afinowicz and her husband Caine, Amanda Seymour, Amy Leblanc and her husband Larry, Joey Babineaux and his wife Amy, Jenni Ray and her husband Cody, Casey Plant and his wife Aida, Cody Plant, Katie Montalvo and her husband Morris, Julie Fultz and her husband Will, Amanda Delcambre and her husband Logan, Alan Hanks and his wife Megan, Alexander Hanks and his wife Kassie, Caitlyn Shuler and her husband Kol, Spencer Barras and his wife Blayne, and Britnie Alvarez and her husband James; twenty-eight great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. And finally, her numerous grand puppies whom she adored.

A gathering of Family and Friends will take place from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 31, 2023, at Melancon Funeral Home in Nederland, Texas. A Rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. A Chapel Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Melancon Funeral Home with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Nederland.

Velma is reunited with her parents, Lawrence and Olive Spell; her daughter, Vickie Catalina; her son, Bill Hudson; her brother, Lawrence “Junior” Spell; and her sister, Laura Spell.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Ronnie Barras, Jeff Barras, Alexander Hanks, Alan Hanks, Cody Plant, Casey Plant, Joey Babineaux, Brayden Babineaux, Drew Babineaux, Jake Kemp, Koby Taylor, Cody Ray and Kaiden Taylor. Honorary Pallbearer will be Keyton Daws.