Velmar Notra Singleton Richmond was born on September 22, 1939 to the late Daniel and Edna Mae (Dixon) Singleton of Jacksonville, Florida. After graduating from high school, Velmar attended college at Philander Smith College in Little Rock at the age of 16. In February of 1960 she married her husband of 35 years, Mossie J. Richmond, Jr. of Wynne. They raised two daughters, Deryle Lynn and Reche Anita of College Station, Texas and Pocahontas, Arkansas, respectively.

Mrs. Richmond taught in the Jonesboro School District for approximately 33 years-retiring in 1995. Throughout her career, she taught the sciences in various school districts including Fort Smith , Wynne, and Muncie Indiana.

Subsequent to the death of her husband and retirement, Mrs. Richmond was appointed to the Arkansas State University Board of Trustees by former Governor and President Bill Clinton. Additionally, she served on the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE,) and locally with the United Way of Jonesboro board. She served on on the finance committee of the now defunct Christ Way United Methodist Church in Jonesboro as well.

Velmar loved cooking, playing solitaire, and fashion and fabric (she had style.) Multiple students entered the medical field because she was their teacher. She sang in the Philander Smith Collegiate Choir, directed by Otis Simmons. Also, while at Philander, she joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Society Inc. Ultimately, she graduated with a degree in biological sciences. Later, she attended Butler University’s graduate program specializing in cellular research.

Mrs. Richmond was preceded in death by her husband, Mossie J. Richmond Jr., her sisters; Winona Davis and Louise Harris, her brothers; Bernard D. Singleton and Stephen B. Singleton III, as well as her son-in-law, Antoine Drakeford, of Chicago, Illinois who preceded her in death in 2004.

She is survived by her daughters; Deryle L. Richmond and Reche A. Drakeford, and granddaughter, Alanna L. Drakeford. Additionally, a special acknowledgement goes to her surrogate daughter, Vanessa Jones. She also leaves behind eight nieces, four nephews, and in-laws, along with close friends from The Circle to mourn her passing on August 8, 2026.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday September 26, 2026 at 2 pm at the Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home Chapel.