Velda Mae (Rice) Raspberry

June 5, 1935 - June 12, 2019

Velda Mae (Rice) Raspberry, 84, passed away on June 12, 2019 in Reston, VA. Funeral services are scheduled for 1pm on Thursday; June 20, 2019 at Day Funeral Home Chapel in Madisonville, TX with Bro. Warren Hunt officiating. The visitation is scheduled for 12pm also on Thursday at Day Funeral Home Chapel. The burial will follow the service at High Prairie Cemetery in Madisonville, TX. Velda was born on June 5, 1935 in Iola, TX to Elzie Levy Rice and Bonnie Inez (Wells) Rice. She graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in Houston, TX and soon married John Henry "Buddy' Raspberry. Velda was a homemaker and she supported her husband throughout his distinguished career with The International Longshormen's Association (ILA) where he served as General Vice President of the ILA and President of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District of the ILA. Velda and her family were long-time members of Woodforest Baptist Church in Houston, TX. Velda and Buddy were married for 33 years and had built their retirement home in the High Prairie Community in Madisonville, TX where they enjoyed living "in the country." Velda was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Leon Rice. She is survived by her children, Randy Lynn Raspberry, Lisa Gail Raspberry Bowers, and Kris Denise Raspberry; her grandchildren, Meagan Leigh Bowers and Colby Lynn Raspberry and his wife Jolyn Aleice; her great grandchilden, Braelyn Aleice Raspberry and Kendal Lynn Raspberry; and numerous other family members and friends. .