Paula Richard

Paula Renette Richard was born in Denver, Colorado on June 22, 1964, to Irma Jean Richard and Woodrow Holman Sr. Paula was the youngest child born, joining older sister, Pamela. Paula was a proud resident of Denver's East Side, having grown up on 35th and Vine Street. Her sister remembers Paula as a "mama's girl" frequently following her mother around not willing to leave her side for anything. Paula enjoyed her youth at Red Shield and Camp Elephant Rock which gave her lifelong love of trail mix, having camped at the base of the Grand Canyon. Educated in Denver Public Schools, Paula received her schooling at University Park and Mitchell Elementary and Cole Junior High Schools. Paula gave birth to her first child, daughter, Shayla on January 22, 1981, while attending Manual High School. Paula was ever so determined to finish high school and graduate on time. She returned to school six weeks after giving birth and graduated in June 1982, on time! Sadly, four weeks after graduation, Pamela and Paula would lose their beloved mother, Irma Jean to Breast Cancer. Later, on May 19, 1998, Paula celebrated the birth of her first son and last child, Ashton. In 1985, Paula graduated from what is now called Concord Medical Institute with her certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Paula enrolled in the Community College of Aurora to obtain the degree she had always longed for. Paula was attending classes in business having maintained a GPA of a 3.9 and was consistently on the Dean's List. She found her stride in academics! Paula worked in various retail roles to support her young family. She would eventually enter into healthcare as a CNA, inspired by her Aunt LaVerne who was a Registered Nurse (RN). Paula would care for patients for the next twenty years in H. I. V. and geriatric specialties, which was her true passion. Having spent twenty years in nursing, Paula decided to shift career gears and begin exploring options in counseling, after obtaining her CAC-II; she realized that she was too emotional to pursue a career in counseling. Paula developed a dessert catering company called Kaleo's Kitchen LLC, named after her beloved only grandson Kaleo. Paula was determined to rewrite her past and become self-employed. Her desire to work for herself was fueled by her grandson; to have more free time to spend with him. She boasted the fact he had never had a diaper rash, having to be left in the care of strangers. Kaleo "Bubba Fat -Fat" was the great joy of her life as were her two children, Shayla and Ashton; whom she affectionately called "Chocolate and Vanilla." Paula was a fun girl, she loved to play games and listen to her record player. She spent her time going on various outings with her mom and sister traveling and exploring the country including trips to Disneyland, which she cherished as a lifelong memory. Paula loved music; she would wear the cassette tape out on such musicians as Luther Vandross, Keith Sweat, Anita Baker and Gerald Levert. Later, she would become a devotee of Fred Hammond and Juanita Bynum. Paula enjoyed crossword puzzle books, jigsaw puzzles, Madea movies, any crime oriented television show, and anything smothered in gravy or green chile. She also enjoyed ZUMBA and spending time with her family and friends. A gifted writer, Paula wrote many poems and short stories. Paula was incredibly persuasive; she could convince you of things; you never did and put you in a place you never were. She was resilient, persevering, ornery, and unbelievably kind." Paula was extremely neat, always well-kept, and maintained her beautiful coffee colored skin tone with Tone and Vaseline. She was a unique soul, a one of a kind woman. She would do as she wanted, live as she wanted, never asking for permission, but preferring to apologize after the deeds were done. Having endured many of life's challenges Paula was strong, and a master of reinvention; she was our "comeback kid." Paula loved the Lord, and referred to jokingly by her daughter, Shayla as "The Evangelist or The Good Reverend P. R. R." Paula was baptized at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and later joined Rising Star and King Baptist churches. She believed no matter the circumstances that God was in control and would deliver her from any hardship. Paula kept this strong faith, having praised God until her last breath. Paula is preceded in death by her mother, Irma Jean Richard; grandmother, Helen T. Newman; and grandfather, Moses Richard, Sr. Paula Renette Richard answered God's call to come home on the morning of March 18, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. She received the fulfillment of God's promise to restore and renew his child. Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Shayla R. Richard and Ashton I. Richard-Jones of Denver, CO; her grandson, Kaleo M. R. Richard of Denver, CO; her father, Woodrow (Eula) Holman Sr. of Dallas, TX; her sisters, Pamela R. Richard of Denver, CO, Woodren Holman of Fort Worth, TX; her brothers; Woodrow (Beverly) Holman Jr. of Arlington, TX, Woodlon Holman Sr. of Houston, TX; Woodreal Holman of Fort Worth, TX, Wooduronn (Wytrisha) Holman of DeSoto, TX ; her aunts, LaVerne (Gary) Newman of Denver, CO; Johnnie Mae Newman of Atlanta, GA, Tezenia "Polly" Richard of Baton, Rouge, LA, Betty London of Denver, CO; uncles, Harold Newman of Denver, CO, Levone Richard, Sr. of Baton Rouge, LA, Donald Richard, Sr. of Baton Rouge, LA; one nephew R. Okoye Robin of Denver CO, and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and others who will mourn the loss of Paula R. Richard.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 3/24/2016 at 9:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 3/24/2016 at 11:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 3/24/2016 - Following the Service St. Simeon Cemetery - 22001 Colorado 30 Aurora, CO