Melody Joan Richards

Melody Joan Richards (née Osborne), 74, passed away on February 5, 2025, in Houston, Texas. Born on June 3, 1950, in Kansas City, Missouri, she lived a life filled with energy, warmth, compassion, and an unwavering spirit.

Melody was known for her fun-loving and independent nature and her deep love of family. She possessed a gregarious personality that drew people to her and a strong-willed determination that guided her through life’s many adventures. Her compassion and love for others, anchored in her faith in Christ, were evident in everything she did.

Her initiative was foreshadowed by an incident at age 5. When her mother dozed off for a nap, Melody got up, dialed the operator to get the phone number of brother Bill’s school (he was in the first grade), and convinced the secretary to call him out of class whereupon she engaged him in conversation to ask what he was doing! Upon awakening, her mother was astonished by her skill and boldness. Indeed, the whole family realized they had someone truly special with them.

After graduating from North Shore High School, Melody pursued a career that highlighted her exceptional interpersonal skills and radiant smile. She worked in advertising sales; as the first welcoming face encountered at Finger Furniture and H&H Music; and as a wine sales representative before deciding to further her education. In the early 1980s, she attended San Jacinto College, where she earned an Associate degree in Cosmetology and was initiated into the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. This achievement led her to a fulfilling career with Bristol-Myers/Clairol as a training specialist. In this role, she traveled across the country conducting workshops on the company’s products. Her keen sense of color and style, combined with her natural sociability, made her a respected leader in her field.

Later Melody put this professional knowledge gained at Clairol to excellent use with the Texas Cosmetology Commission where she enforced the state regulation of salons, barber shops, and spas. Her honest work ethic led her to pursue more than one noncompliant operator out the back door! Melody’s last job, which she enjoyed for ten years with John Latour, was managing transportation logistics for arriving and departing customers of Carnival Cruise Lines in Galveston. The high-energy pace and problem-solving that was required suited her nature and skills very well - even though she didn’t care for cruising herself!

Melody is best known by her family and friends as a loving, compassionate, selfless person who often put others’ welfare before her own. In her retirement she volunteered at the North Channel Assistance Ministries, following in her mother’s footsteps and helping to distribute food to hungry people. She frequently drove those in need to their doctor’s appointments, and to the grocery store, and helped with their chores. Her compassion extended to adopting needy dogs, and even including a stray neighborhood rabbit that she nurtured for years. Melody’s friends acknowledge her as one of the most loved and respected people they know.

Melody is survived by her siblings William “Bill” Osborne, Marilyn Osborne Wisdom, Tom Osborne, and life partner John Latour as well as an aunt, many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, William H. Osborne and Frances C. Anton Osborne.

“The master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:23

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church