Wilma Fulbright Richey was born in Lufkin, Texas to Reverend William A. Fulbright and Maude Ragan Fulbright on April 19, 1915. Until her death on September 2, 2009 she was the only surviving child of that union. She was preceded in death by brothers Elwood Fulbright, Nathan Carouthers, and William Fulbright, husband Edward Lee Richey, and sisters Elva Kraft and Edna Sanders. She is survived by brothers Kenneth and Clifford Fulbright, sister Valle Montgomery, sons Edward Richey and his wife Roma, William Richey and his wife Rhonda and Tillman Richey and his wife Cheryl, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Wilma graduated from Batson High School in 1932, and then earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Northeastern State Teachers College in Tahlequah Oklahoma in 1935. In 1967, she was awarded a Masters in Education from the University of Houston. Wilma taught mathematics in the Daisetta, Port Neches, and Port Arthur, Texas school systems, retiring in 1975 as head of the mathematics department at Woodrow Wilson Jr. High School in Port Arthur. Through thirty plus years of work, she remained a devoted teacher, friend and advocate for all students.
Along with her family and her vocation, her church and its work were foremost in her efforts throughout life. Wilma and Lee Richey were founding members of Aldersgate Methodist Church in Port Arthur, Texas. She spent many hours preparing lessons for her Sunday school classes as well as those for the Wesleyan Service Guild in which she filled various leadership roles. In retirement she continued this service and dedication with Pineland United Methodist Church in Pineland, Texas.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, September 5, 2009 at Broussard’s in Nederland with Rev. Mark Pedersen officiating. Graveside services will follow at the Guedry Cemetery in Batson at 2:00 PM. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 to 8 PM Friday at the mortuary.

The family acknowledges the four years of comfort, care and outstanding service provided by the Oakwood Manor Nursing Home in Vidor, Texas and the support and visitation of the congregations of Aldersgate Trinity, Pineland and Vidor First United Methodist Churches. Memorials can be made, the family requests any memorials be designated for Aldersgate Trinity United Methodist Church of Port Arthur, Pineland United Methodist Church of Pineland, or First United Methodist Church of Vidor.
Serving as pallbearers are Tillman Joshua Richey, Christopher Carleton Richey, Devon Leonard Richey, Colin Edward Richey and Paul Manning Beller.