Richard Kenneth Randolph

Richard Kenneth Randolph, age 91, entered his eternal home with the Lord on January 16, 2026. His loving wife Mel was by his side.

Richard was born on March 23, 1934 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of AIton and Rebecca Hickerson Randolph. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. While Richard looked forward to the day he would see his Savior, he will be dearly missed by his wife of 67 years, Melba "Mel" Thigpen Randolph; his daughters, Patti Haney (Bob) and Ann Bates (Tim), his grandchildren, Bobby Haney (Kimberly), Lauren Young (Nate), Jennifer Harris (Braxton), Shannon Williams (Clayton), Ellen Brown (Chase), and Molly Kirchoff (Chad) and his cherished great-grandchildren Noah, Georgia, Emily, Luke, Evelyn, Brooks, Fisher, Cooper, Cate, Lettie, Emma, Ruth, Jed, Callan, Emmie, Adeline, John Allen, Jack, Heidi, Jane, Caroline, Annie, and Houston.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Linda Sue, and sister, Julie Dowling.

The Lord brought Richard and Mel together while his father was a patient at the hospital where Mel worked as a registered nurse. They were married in Mel's childhood home in Bogalusa, Louisiana, on October 4, 1958. Richard worked for The Times-Picayune until an opportunity with the Houston Post brought the family to Texas in 1962. He was also a real estate agent and later retired from the Houston Chronicle.

Richard had a wonderful sense of humor and he never met a stranger. He had a gift for repairing almost anything and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He loved to read, enjoyed music, and blessed others with his singing, often an old favorite from the 1950s or one of his beloved hymns, How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, and When the Roll Is Called Up Yonde r.

He loved the Lord with all his heart and gladly shared his faith. He served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher and was a member of Mims Baptist Church. He told everyone, "God bless you," and reminded them to put on the full armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18. Among his favorite scriptures were John 3:16, Psalm 23, 100, and Matthew 6:9-13.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6

To honor his life, a graveside service will be held at 2pm, on January 22, 2026, Brookside Memorial Park, 13747 Eastex Fwy, Houston, TX 77039.