Jessie Valcarcel Richey

Published 12:01 am Sunday, May 27, 2018

BATON ROUGE — Services for Jessie Valcarcel “Abu” Richey, 65, of Baton Rouge, who died Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at Baton Rouge General Hospital, will be 11 a.m. Monday at St. Agnes Catholic Church with the Rev. Miles Walsh and the Rev. Clifton Hall officiating.          

Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park under the direction of Rabenhorst Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, 825 Government St., in Baton Rouge, and from 9 a.m. until the mass of Christian burial Monday at the church.

Mrs. Richey was a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was a Spanish teacher and love warrior.

Jessie received her bachelor of administration degree in sociology/psychology from Loyola University. She was affiliated with Regnum Cristi, Missionaries of Charity Volunteer, a CCD teacher at St. Agnes Catholic Church, ECYD youth ministry and a Spanish teacher at Cypress Heights Academy. Jessie never met a stranger. Filled with a contagious, engaging and tireless spirit, she loved unconditionally and sought to serve in every way imaginable. Forever with a radiant smile and kind word, she had a passion for bridging the gap between people and bringing all closer to Christ. Known for affectionately calling her friends, “Hermana” (sister in Spanish) her heart beat strong for her homeland of Puerto Rico, while she fervently adopted Louisiana as her own. She navigated her way through the Richey family tree with extraordinary grace and mercy, honored her husband with affection and dignity, and parented and grandparented with so much joy, resilience, forgiveness, generosity and hope. She stayed true to a favorite song of her, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,” and when not daily mass or running a car pool, you could surely find her dancing to Latin salsa music while preparing a feast for family and friends. Although she died suddenly, her life lessons and laughter will forever remain. A beacon of light on earth and in heaven, she will be loved to the moon and back, a billion times over.

Mrs. Richey was preceded in death by her parents, Victor Valcarcel and Aida Perez Valcarcel.

Survivors include her husband of 42 years, Daniel Wesley Richey; four children, William Victor Richey and wife, Delilah Whisenhunt Richey, Aida Lenn Richey, Joseph Daniel Richey and wife, Chrystal Manuel Richey, and John Paul Richey and wife; one sister, Marta Antonia Valcarcel; one brother, Victor “Nolo” Valcarcel; and seven grandchildren, Amielle “Mia” Victoria, Siena, Santiago, Sebastian, Nicholas, Dallan and Cooper.

Pallbearers will be Chris Brown, Mac Devall, Nolo Valcarcel, DeLane Jenkins, Samuel Vasquez, Cody Brown, Anthony Mabrey and John Duggan.

Honorary pallbearers will be Verne Richey, Wes Richey, Sam Devall, Bob Richey Jr., Matthew Whisenhunt, Leighton Whisenhunt, George Whisenhunt and Noah Hall.